CalL1 San Jose Giants

Giants Sweep Blaze to Finish Road Trip

Published on May 27, 2012 under California League (CalL1)
San Jose Giants News Release


BAKERSFIELD - Adam Duvall and Ricky Oropesa both homered and the San Jose Giants used a five-run seventh inning en route to an 8-2 victory over the Bakersfield Blaze on Saturday evening at Sam Lynn Ballpark. The Giants overcame a 2-1 deficit with their seventh-inning explosion to complete a sweep of the three-game series. San Jose finishes their season-long nine-game road trip with a 6-3 record. The win extends the Giants' (32-17) lead over the Blaze (26-22) to 5 1/2 games in the first half North Division race.

Duvall (3-for-5, HR, 2 RBI) finished with three hits, including his fourth home run of the road trip, to lead San Jose offensively. Oropesa (1-for-4, HR, 2 RBI) and Joe Panik (1-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI) also drove home two runs apiece.

Trailing by a run, the Giants' seventh-inning rally began with consecutive walks to Jarrett Parker and Dan Burkhart. With Carter Jurica at the plate, Burkhart was picked-off at first by catcher Chris Berset for the first out, but another walk put runners back at first and second. Chris Lofton then walked to load the bases before a wild pitch plated Parker with the tying run. Panik then ripped a 3-2 pitch down the right field line for a double as Jurica and Lofton both scored to give San Jose a two-run lead. Duvall was up next and he crushed a two-run home run to deep left for a 6-2 Giants advantage.

San Jose extended their lead to 8-2 in the top of the ninth when Duvall singled with two outs before Oropesa belted a two-run homer to deep right center.

Chris Wilson (3-1) was credited with the win out of the bullpen after tossing two scoreless innings. Wilson allowed just one hit with one walk and five strikeouts. The right-hander entered the game with two runners on and two outs in the bottom of the sixth and promptly struck out Billy Hamilton to end inning and keep the Giants within a run. After San Jose took the lead, Wilson struck out two in a perfect bottom of the seventh. In the eighth, Wilson fanned two more and left the game with runners at first and second and two outs. Phil McCormick (1 1/3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 SO) was summoned from the bullpen and he induced the next hitter, Theo Bowe, to ground into a fielder's choice to shortstop to end the inning.

McCormick then needed only five pitches to work a 1-2-3 bottom of the ninth to finish the game. McCormick was credited with his first save of the year.

Blaze reliever Pat Doyle (3-2) was saddled with the loss after he was charged with the first three runs in the top of the seventh. Doyle walked four straight batters to begin the frame.

The Giants initially took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning as Devin Harris led off with a double, advanced to third on Parker's groundout and scored when Burkhart hit a sacrifice fly to right.

Bakersfield tied the game in the bottom of the third when Hamilton singled with one out, stole second and came home when the next batter, Lohman, singled.

The Blaze moved in front 2-1 in the bottom of the fifth as San Jose starter Ryan Bradley surrendered two singles before a two-out walk to Bryson Smith loaded the bases. Bradley then walked Travis Mattair to force home a run putting Bakersfield in the lead. Bradley recovered to strikeout the next hitter, Dominic D'Anna, to end the inning.

Bradley worked 5 2/3 innings scattering nine hits with two runs (both earned) allowed. He walked five and struck out one. Bradley induced inning-ending double plays in the second, third and fourth frames. The Blaze also hit into a double play with Bradley on the mound in the bottom of the sixth.

Notes: The Giants earned their first road series sweep of the season ... The 5 1/2 game lead is their largest advantage in the standings this year ... 21 games remain in the first half for San Jose ... Duvall leads the Giants with eight home runs ... Bakersfield out-hit San Jose by a 10-8 margin ... In addition to hitting into four double plays, the Blaze left 10 runners on base.

On Deck: The Giants begin a six-game homestand on Sunday evening with the first of three straight contests against the Visalia Rawhide at Municipal Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 5:00 PM. Jack Snodgrass (5-1, 2.44 ERA) is slated to start on the mound for San Jose while Visalia is expected to counter with Andrew Chafin (3-0, 3.20 ERA). It's a KBAY's Giant Sunday at the ballpark and tickets can be purchased by calling (408) 297-1435 or by visiting sjgiants.com.

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California League Stories from May 27, 2012


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