Giants Suffer Four-Game Sweep at Bakersfield
Published on April 22, 2012 under California League (CalL1)
San Jose Giants News Release
BAKERSFIELD - The Bakersfield Blaze completed a four-game sweep of the San Jose Giants with an 8-6 victory on Sunday afternoon at Sam Lynn Ballpark. The Blaze jumped out to an 8-2 lead after five innings and withstood a late Giants rally to secure the win. The loss dropped San Jose's overall record to 12-6.
Chris Lofton (1-for-4, HR, RBI), Ricky Oropesa (1-for-4, HR, RBI) and Adam Duvall (1-for-4, HR, RBI) each hit a solo home run for the Giants in the losing effort.
Taylor Rogers (2-1) suffered his first loss of the season for San Jose after surrendering four runs (all earned) on six hits over 3 2/3 innings of work. Rogers issued two walks, hit two batters and struck out one.
San Jose took an early 1-0 lead when Lofton began the game with a homer to right. Bakersfield though immediately answered in the bottom of the frame with a run of their own. Billy Hamilton led off with a double down the right field line before advancing to third on a Rogers wild pitch. Devin Lohman was then hit by a pitch while the next hitter, Yorman Rodriguez, brought home the run with a sacrifice fly.
The Blaze moved in front with three more runs in the bottom of the third inning against Rogers. Consecutive one-out walks to Hamilton and Lohman was followed by a successful double steal to put runners on second and third. Rodriguez then scored Hamilton with a groundout to shortstop before Donald Lutz stepped to the plate and belted a two-run homer to straightaway center.
The Giants got one of the runs back in the top of the fourth as Oropesa connected for the first home run of his professional career. However, the Blaze erupted for four runs in the bottom of the fifth to take an 8-2 lead. Facing San Jose reliever Edward Concepcion (1 1/3 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO), Rodriguez led off with a single before stealing second. Lutz then drew a walk and after David Vidal struck out, Juan Duran hammered a three-run homer to left. The rally continued when the next batter, Bryson Smith, walked. After Chris Berset bounced into a fielder's choice for the second out, James Ewing delivered an RBI double to make it 8-2.
San Jose's comeback attempt began in the top of the sixth when Duvall smashed a solo homer bringing the Giants to within 8-3. San Jose then pushed across three more runs in the seventh. Luke Anders led off with a single before Alex Burg ripped a double into the right center field gap to put runners on second and third. Jarrett Parker then brought home one run with a groundout to second as Burg also advanced on the play. Devin Harris followed by reaching base on a fielding error committed by Vidal at third. Harris was credited with an RBI as Burg scored while Vidal committed a second error on the play when he threw wildly to first. Then with two outs, Lofton reached on an error by the second baseman Ewing as Harris scored to cut the deficit to 8-6. However, Blaze reliever Jamie Walczak was able to settle down, inducing Carter Jurica, who represented the potential tying run, to groundout to shortstop.
The Giants then didn't manage another baserunner for the rest of the game as Wilkin De La Rosa struck out two in a perfect top of the eighth before Daniel Wolford worked a 1-2-3 ninth inning for the save.
Bakersfield starting pitcher Daniel Renken (3-0) earned the win after tossing six innings with three runs (all earned) and four hits allowed. All three runs that Renken surrendered were on solo homers. He struck out nine and walked none during his stint on the mound.
Notes: After winning nine straight games, the Giants have dropped four in a row ... The home team has won all eight games played between San Jose and Bakersfield this season ... Rogers had allowed just three earned runs total in his first three starts prior to Sunday ... Jose Valdez (1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 SO), Phil McCormick (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 SO) and Stephen Harrold (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 SO) also pitched out of the Giants bullpen ... Blaze pitchers combined for 12 strikeouts and no walks ... Bakersfield was 6-for-7 in stolen base attempts ... The six steals allowed were the most by the Giants in a game this season.
On Deck: The Giants return home on Monday evening to begin a four-game series against the High Desert Mavericks. First pitch at Municipal Stadium is scheduled for 7:00 PM. Ryan Bradley (2-1, 1.13 ERA) is slated to start on the mound for San Jose while High Desert is expected to counter with James Gillheeney (2-0, 1.15 ERA). San Francisco Giants second baseman Freddy Sanchez is expected to begin a rehabilitation assignment with San Jose on Monday. Tickets are available and can be purchased by calling (408) 297-1435 or by visiting sjgiants.com.
California League Stories from April 22, 2012
- Alaniz Throws Seven Strong But Storm Win in Ninth - Lancaster JetHawks
- Giants Suffer Four-Game Sweep at Bakersfield - San Jose Giants
- Maronde Delivers Quality Start But 66ers Fall 4-3 - Inland Empire 66ers
- Reed Dominates in 2-0 Win for Quakes - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Blaze Complete Sweep of San Jose - Bakersfield Blaze
- Offensive Woes Continue in 4-1 Loss - San Jose Giants
- Bakersfield earns 6th consecutive win - Bakersfield Blaze
- Donn Roach Dominates, 66ers Win 3-1 - Inland Empire 66ers
- Quakes Blast Rawhide on Saturday Night - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Lancaster Drops Third Straight in Lake Elsinore - Lancaster JetHawks
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.
