Giants Pitching Remains Sharp In 6-1 Victory
Published on April 12, 2008 under California League (CalL1)
San Jose Giants News Release
Jesse English and two Giants relievers combined on a five-hitter Saturday evening to lead San Jose to a 6-1 victory over the Bakersfield Blaze. In front of 2,304 fans at Municipal Stadium, English tossed 5 2/3 effective innings on the mound limiting Bakersfield to one run en route to picking up his first win of the year. Offensively, San Jose scored two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to take the lead for good. With the victory, the Giants improve their overall record to 6-4.
After Saturday's performance, San Jose lowered their team ERA to 2.14 - the top mark in the California League. In their six wins this season, Giants pitchers have combined to allow just 14 runs.
English (1-0) allowed five hits with no walks and five strikeouts during his stint on the mound. The left-hander, who was drafted in the sixth round by San Francisco in 2002, threw 62 pitches before handing the game over to the bullpen. Ryan Shaver (2 1/3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 SO) and Craig Whitaker (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 SO) then combined to hold the Blaze hitless over the final 3 1/3 innings.
Trailing 1-0, Elio Sarmiento started the fifth inning rally by reaching on a strikeout, wild pitch. Mike McBryde followed by reaching on a fielder's choice before stealing second base. Matt Downs then singled to plate McBryde and tie the score at 1-1. Downs later stole second base and scored on Ryan Rohlinger's clutch two-out single into right center field.
In the bottom of the sixth, consecutive walks to Pablo Sandoval and Tyler Graham started a rally. After Juan Ciriaco dropped down a sacrifice bunt, Sarmiento was hit by a pitch to load the bases. McBryde followed by reaching on a fielder's choice ground ball to shortstop allowing Sandoval to score San Jose's third run of the contest.
The Giants added to their lead in the bottom of the seventh inning with three more runs. Bobby Felmy began the frame with a single before Rohlinger reached on an error to put runners on first and second. Andy D'Alessio sacrificed the runners up 90 feet with a bunt and then Sandoval lined a single to left field to plate both Felmy and Rohlinger for a 5-1 advantage. Sandoval would eventually score the final run of the evening on Sarmiento's two-out single to right center.
Graham (2-for-3) was the lone San Jose player to record a multiple-hit game at the plate. The Giants out-hit Bakersfield by an 8-5 margin.
The Blaze threatened to tie the score in the top of the sixth inning with K.C. Herren at second base and two outs. Shaver was summoned from the bullpen in relief of English and the first batter he faced, Chad Tracy, hit a hard ground ball down the third base line. But Rohlinger at third made a spectacular diving stop going to his left and threw out Tracy at first base to end the inning and keep the Giants in front. Bakersfield would manage just one base runner for the remainder of the night.
California League Stories from April 12, 2008
- JetHawks Miss Out on Opportunities, Lose to Storm 11-1 - Lancaster JetHawks
- Giants Pitching Remains Sharp In 6-1 Victory - San Jose Giants
- Quakes Lose 3-1 In Another Pitcher's Duel in Rancho Cucamonga - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
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