CalL1 San Jose Giants

Giants rally falls short

Published on July 10, 2008 under California League (CalL1)
San Jose Giants News Release


The Visalia Oaks scored the first five runs of the game on Thursday night and then held off a late San Jose Giants rally to post a 5-3 victory at Municipal Stadium. Daniel Ortmeier and Mike Mooney both homered for the Giants as San Jose suffered their third straight loss to begin the series and fourth in a row overall. With the defeat, San Jose's overall record dropped to 56-34.

Clayton Tanner (5-5), who was activated off the Disabled List before the game, suffered the loss on the mound after working four innings. Tanner, who was on a strict pitch count, began his outing with three scoreless innings before running into trouble in the top of the fourth. Three consecutive singles from Mark Hallberg, Joey Side and Pete Clifford started the frame. Ed Easley then hit a soft grounder to third base that was mishandled by Juan Ciriaco for an error as Hallberg scored the first run of the contest. Mike Mee followed with a double play groundout to shortstop as Side raced home for a 2-0 Visalia lead.

All total, Tanner was charged with two runs (both earned) on five hits. The left-hander, who threw 55 pitches, struck out one and walked none.

The Oaks added to their lead in the top of the fifth inning against Giants reliever Steve Edlefsen. With two outs, Pedro Ciriaco drew a walk before Hallberg also walked to put runners on first and second. Side then stepped to the plate and hammered a double to deep left center field to score both runners before Clifford connected for an RBI single to make it a 5-0 Visalia advantage.

San Jose was unable to score in the first five innings against Oaks starter Eddie Romero. However in the bottom of the sixth, Ortmeier belted a towering solo homer to deep left field for the Giants' first tally. Later in the frame, with reliever Kyler Newby on the mound, Ciriaco drew a two-out, bases loaded walk to force home another run. Mike McBryde was up next and he grounded a ball to third base that gloved by a diving Manny Ferrer, who from his knees threw to second base to get the force out on Ciriaco ending the inning.

Mooney brought the Giants a run closer in the bottom of the eighth with a one-out solo homer to center field. The home run was Mooney's sixth of the year with San Jose.

After the home run, pinch-hitter Bobby Felmy drew a walk before Sharlon Schoop grounded out. Brad Boyer was then sent to the plate to pinch-hit, but he struck out swinging while facing new pitcher Scott Maine to end the inning.

In the bottom of the ninth, McBryde reached on a leadoff infield single, but Brock Bond followed with a double play ground out before Tyler Graham struck out looking.

Romero (5-8) was credited with the victory after working 5 2/3 innings with two runs (both earned) on six hits allowed. Romero walked two and struck out four. Maine earned his second save with 1 1/3 scoreless innings to finish the contest.

Bond (2-for-5), Ortmeier (2-for-4, HR, RBI) and McBryde (2-for-4) each finished with multiple-hit games for the Giants. Visalia out-hit San Jose by an 11-8 margin.

Notes: The four-game losing streak matches San Jose's longest slide of the year (April 7-10) ... Ortmeier was playing in the fourth game of his rehabilitation assignment with San Jose ... He is 3-for-14 (.214 AVG) with a home run ... Tanner was making his first since June 13 due to an upper back strain ... To make room for Tanner on the roster, Dan Otero was placed on the Temporary Inactive List (bereavement leave) ... Mooney was transferred from Fresno (AAA) to San Jose before Wednesday's game ... Visalia is 6-3 this season at Municipal Stadium ... The Giants have a 26-9 home record against the rest of the league ... Edlefsen (3 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 3 SO) and Juan Trinidad (2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 SO) both pitched out of the San Jose bullpen.

On Deck: The Giants conclude their homestand on Friday night when they host the Visalia Oaks at Municipal Stadium. First pitch is set for 7:00 P.M. It's a KFOX Family Friday at the ballpark and tickets can be purchased by calling (408)297-1435 or by visiting www.sjgiants.com. Tim Alderson (8-3, 3.35 ERA) is slated to start on the mound for San Jose while Visalia is expected to counter with Chad Beck (2-1, 3.86 ERA).

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California League Stories from July 10, 2008


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