Giants Pitching Shines In 5-1 Victory Over Blaze
Published on July 24, 2008 under California League (CalL1)
San Jose Giants News Release
Tim Alderson and three Giants relievers combined to limit the Bakersfield Blaze to one run in San Jose's 5-1 victory on Thursday night at Municipal Stadium. Alderson earned his team-leading 11th win of the season with five effective innings of work before Taylor Wilding, Dan Griffin and Dan Otero combined to shutout the Blaze over the final four frames. Offensively, Dayton Buller smacked a home run as San Jose salvaged a game of the three-game series and improved their overall record to 60-43.
Alderson (11-3), now second in the California League in victories, held Bakersfield to three hits and one run during his stint on the mound. The right-hander, who won his fifth consecutive start, walked three and struck out three. Wilding (2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 SO) held the Blaze off the scoreboard in the sixth and seventh frames before Griffin (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 SO) worked a perfect top of the eighth. In the ninth, Dan Otero (1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 SO) allowed three singles as Bakersfield loaded the bases with two outs. However, Marcus Lemon, who represented the potential tying run, hit a line drive that deflected off of Otero's glove to the second baseman Brock Bond, who then threw to first sealing the Giants victory.
Mike McBryde (2-for-4, RBI) was the lone San Jose player to finish with a multiple-hit game. Both clubs ended the contest with seven hits.
The Giants took the lead with a pair of runs in the bottom of the third inning against Blaze starting pitcher Derek Holland. After Holland had retired the first seven hitters of the contest, Sharlon Schoop doubled into the right field corner. Then with two outs, Darren Ford lined a single into center field to plate Schoop with the first run. After Ford stole second base, McBryde grounded a single through the hole on the right side scoring Ford for a 2-0 advantage.
Buller pushed the lead up to 3-0 in the bottom of the fourth when he belted a home run to deep left center field. For Buller, it was his first home run since joining San Jose.
Bakersfield scored their only run of the night in the top of the fifth inning. K.C. Herren drew a one out walk before Lemon was hit by a pitch with two outs. Renny Osuna then stepped to the plate and lined a single into left field to score Herren. Alderson though would limit the damage as he induced the next hitter, Chad Tracy, to fly out stranding the potential tying runs on base.
The Giants scored single runs in the seventh and eighth innings against Blaze reliever Josh Lueke to extend their lead. In the bottom of the seventh, Buller led off by reaching on an error before stealing second base. Then with two outs, Tyler Graham lined a soft single into right field to plate Buller.
In the eighth, consecutive singles from McBryde and Brad Boyer put runners on first and third with none out. Brock Bond followed with a ground out back to the mound scoring McBryde for a four-run cushion.
Holland (2-1) suffered the loss for Bakersfield despite striking out 10 batters over six innings of work. The left-hander surrendered three runs (all earned) on four hits while issuing just one walk.
Notes: Alderson is one victory behind Rancho Cucamonga's Sean O'Sullivan for the league-lead ... The Giants finished their six-game homestand with a 3-3 record ... Ford's stolen base was his 50th of the year ... His third-inning single marked his first hit and first RBI with the club ... San Jose completed their season-series against Bakersfield with an outstanding 17-5 record (7-4 at Municipal Stadium) ... Third baseman Matt Downs left the game in the top of the third inning after a ground ball struck his right hand ... He is considered day-to-day ... Downs' (0-for-1) eight-game hitting streak was snapped ... The Giants improved their second half record to 17-16.
On Deck: The Giants open a three-game series at Modesto on Friday night with first pitch against the Nuts at John Thurman Field scheduled for 7:05 P.M. Jesse English (10-4, 2.65 ERA) is slated to start on the mound for San Jose while Modesto is expected to counter with Aneury Rodriguez (8-8, 3.03 ERA). The game can be heard live on www.sjgiants.com.
California League Stories from July 24, 2008
- Giants Pitching Shines In 5-1 Victory Over Blaze - San Jose Giants
- Oaks game postponed - Visalia Rawhide
- Thirsty Thursday and Fireworks Tonight - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Ports And A's Extend Player Development Contract Through 2012 - Stockton Ports
- Quakes Fall to Ports 8-4 - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Blaze Capitalize On Giants Miscues To Claim 5-3 Victory - San Jose Giants
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
