Giants Unable To Complete Sweep As Nuts Post 4-3 Win
Published on July 22, 2008 under California League (CalL1)
San Jose Giants News Release
The Modesto Nuts scored an unearned run in the top of the ninth inning to edge the San Jose Giants 4-3 on Monday night in the finale of a three-game series at Municipal Stadium. Modesto's Michael McKenry scored the go-ahead run on a fielder's choice ground out as the Nuts posted their first win in 11 games versus the Giants in San Jose this season. With the loss, the Giants' overall record drops to 59-41 through 100 games.
Facing San Jose reliever Dan Otero, Anthony Jackson led off the top of the ninth with a 10-pitch at-bat. On the 10th offering, Jackson grounded a single into right field. After a sacrifice bunt moved Jackson to second base, Mike Paulk hit a ground ball to second that was misplayed by Brock Bond. The error allowed Paulk to reach base safely as Jackson advanced to third. McKenry followed with a soft ground ball to deep shortstop that Matt Downs fielded and threw to second as the Giants forced out Paulk. However, the ball was hit too softly for San Jose to attempt to turn an inning-ending double play as Jackson scored the go-ahead run.
Andrew Johnston worked a perfect bottom of the ninth inning, notching two strikeouts, to earn his league-leading 22nd save of the season.
The Giants trailed 2-0 until scoring twice in the bottom of the fourth inning. A walk to Brett Pill started the frame before Bobby Felmy bounced a single into right field. Then two batters later, Andy D'Alessio lined a double to the fence in deep right field to score both runners and tie the game at 2-2.
Modesto had an opportunity to take back the lead in the top of the seventh against reliever Juan Trinidad. Three consecutive one-out walks loaded the bases, but Trinidad recovered to strikeout the next two hitters, McKenry and Victor Ferrante, to keep the game deadlocked.
However in the top of the eighth, Modesto's Matt Repec belted a one-out solo homer to left field off of Dan Griffin to move the Nuts in front by a 3-2 margin.
In the bottom of the inning, Downs crushed a one-out triple off the top of the fence in left center field. Pill followed with a sacrifice fly to center plating Downs with the tying run.
The Giants though would manage just five hits overall, including one after the fourth inning. D'Alessio (2-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI) was the lone San Jose player to finish with a multiple-hit game.
Giants starting pitcher Clayton Tanner did not figure in the decision after surrendering two runs (both earned) on six hits over five innings. Tanner walked two and struck out three. The left-hander worked out of a bases loaded, two out jam in the top of the first inning when Nick Haley grounded out to the mound. In the second, the Nuts again loaded the bases as Paulk delivered a one-out single into left center field to score a pair of runs. Tanner though would recover to not allow another run during the remainder of his outing.
Notes: The Giants are 14-8 overall this season against Modesto ... Trinidad (2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 3 SO), Griffin (1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO) and Otero (1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO) all pitched out of the San Jose bullpen ... Otero was saddled with his first California League loss ... The Nuts out-hit the Giants by an 8-5 margin ... Downs started at shortstop for the first time with San Jose this season ... Johnston, who lowered his ERA to 1.43, is 22-for-24 in save opportunities this year ... The Giants' second half record dropped to 16-14 - 2 1/2 games behind Modesto (19-12) for the top spot in the North Division.
On Deck: The Giants continue their homestand on Tuesday evening with the opener of a three-game series against the Bakersfield Blaze. First pitch at Municipal Stadium is scheduled for 7:00 P.M. Kevin Pucetas (7-0, 2.49 ERA) is slated to start on the mound for San Jose while Bakersfield is expected to counter with Zach Phillips (5-7, 6.33 ERA). Tickets can be purchased by calling (408)297-1435 or by visiting www.sjgiants.com.
California League Stories from July 22, 2008
- Giants Held To Three Hits In Narrow Loss To Bakersfield - San Jose Giants
- JetHawks Shellacked by Storm 13-1 - Lancaster JetHawks
- Taco Tuesday Begins Three Game Home Stand Tonight - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Giants Unable To Complete Sweep As Nuts Post 4-3 Win - San Jose Giants
- Mavericks Avoid Sweep, Snap JetHawks Six-Game Win Streak - Lancaster JetHawks
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