CalL1 San Jose Giants

Giants Unable To Hold Late Lead In 7-4 Loss At Modesto

Published on June 29, 2008 under California League (CalL1)
San Jose Giants News Release


The Modesto Nuts scored five eighth-inning runs in a dramatic rally to defeat the San Jose Giants 7-4 on Saturday night at John Thurman Field. Travis Becktel delivered a two-out, three-run triple with two outs in the decisive inning to give Modesto their first lead of the contest as San Jose saw their four-game winning streak come to an end. With the loss, the Giants' overall record falls to 49-30.

San Jose led 4-0 before the Nuts scored single runs in the fifth and sixth innings to cut the Giants advantage in half. In the bottom of the eighth, San Jose reliever Craig Whitaker started the frame by issuing a walk to Mike Paulk. Victor Ferrante followed with a ground ball single into left field to put runners on first and second. Whitaker responded with a strikeout of Mike McKenry, but then Matt Repec blooped a single into shallow right center field to load the bases. Nelson Robledo brought home the first run of the inning with a sacrifice fly to center field before Whitaker walked pinch-hitter Nick Haley to again load the bases.

Dan Otero was then summoned from the bullpen and he promptly allowed the bases-clearing triple to Becktel. On an 0-1 pitch, Becktel hammered a high fly ball off the top of the fence down the left field line plating all three runners for a 6-4 Nuts advantage. Anthony Jackson followed with a bunt single to score Becktel for an insurance run.

In the top of the ninth, Modesto closer Andrew Johnston walked Bobby Felmy to start the frame before a one-out walk to Andy D'Alessio put runners on first and second. But the all-star reliever recovered as he induced the next batter, Brad Boyer, to ground into a game-ending 4-6-3 double play.

Whitaker (0-2) was saddled with the loss after surrendering four runs (all earned) on two hits over 2/3 of an inning. Whitaker walked two and struck out one.

The Giants initially jumped in front with a single run in the top of the second inning against Nuts starting pitcher Aneury Rodriguez. With two outs, Mike McBryde plated Sharlon Schoop from third base with an infield single to shortstop. McBryde finished a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate to lead the nine-hit San Jose offensive attack.

San Jose extended their lead in the top of the fifth inning with three runs to knock Rodriguez out of the game. McBryde started the rally with a single before Tyler Graham drew a walk. Both runners advanced 90 feet on Brock Bond's ground out and then Felmy singled sharply into right field to score McBryde for a 2-0 advantage. After Felmy was thrown out at second base attempting to steal, Brett Pill ripped a double into the left field corner to score Graham. Then D'Alessio dumped a single into shallow left center plating Pill to make it 4-0.

Giants starting pitcher Jesse English was outstanding on the mound limiting Modesto to two runs (one earned) on three hits over 5 1/3 innings. English, who lowered his ERA to 2.40, walked one and struck out six. The left-hander allowed just one Nuts hitter to reach base safely in the first four innings before Modesto scored a single run in the bottom of the fifth.

English left the game with a runner at first and one out in the bottom of the sixth. Juan Trinidad entered the contest and allowed the inherited runner to score when McKenry reached on a two-out fielding error committed by the second baseman Bond.

Trinidad (1 2/3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 SO) worked a scoreless bottom of the seventh before giving way to Whitaker at the start of the eighth inning.

In addition to McBryde, Felmy (2-for-2, 3B, RBI) and D'Alessio (2-for-4, 2B, RBI) finished with more than one hit for the Giants.

Notes: The Giants have won two-of-three games thus far in the series ... San Jose out-hit Modesto by a 9-8 margin ... In his last three starts, English has allowed just one earned run over 15 1/3 innings (0.59 ERA) ... The Giants suffered their league-leading 10th loss when leading after seven innings ... San Jose's second half record dropped to 6-3.

On Deck: The Giants and Nuts conclude this four-game series on Sunday evening with first pitch at John Thurman Field scheduled for 6:05 P.M. Tim Alderson (6-3, 3.29 ERA) is slated to start on the mound for San Jose while Modesto is expected to counter with Simon Ferrer (2-8, 5.50 ERA). The game can be heard live on www.sjgiants.com.

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California League Stories from June 29, 2008


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