CalL1 San Jose Giants

Giants victimized by big inning in loss

Published on June 12, 2008 under California League (CalL1)
San Jose Giants News Release


Lancaster's Jason Place hit a grand slam to cap a seven-run top of the eighth inning for the JetHawks in their 8-4 victory over the San Jose Giants on Thursday afternoon at Municipal Stadium. Lancaster trailed 1-0 until erupting in the eighth frame before holding off a late Giants rally. San Jose was swept in the three-game series and now owns a 41-26 record - 1 1/2 games ahead of the Stockton Ports (39-27) for the top spot in the North Division. The Ports will play later Thursday night while now only three games remain for San Jose in the first half.

Dan Griffin (2-5) suffered the loss out of the Giants bullpen after surrendering six runs (all earned) on three hits over 2/3 of an inning.

A leadoff single to Jorge Jimenez and a one-out walk of Jon Still put runners on first and second for the JetHawks in the eighth inning. Griffin then struck out Josh Reddick before Dennis Blackmon drew a walk to load the bases. Aaron Reza followed by lining the first pitch of his at-bat into center field to score the tying run as the bases remained loaded. Then Argenis Diaz lined a sharp single into center field to plate Still with the go-ahead tally. After Griffin walked pinch-hitter Daniel Nava to force home the third run of the frame, he was removed from the contest in favor of Juan Trinidad.

The first batter Trinidad faced was Place and the JetHawks slugger crushed a 1-1 pitch well over the fence in left field for a grand slam and a 7-1 Lancaster lead.

The Giants answered with three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning and brought the potential tying run to the plate. Singles from Elio Sarmiento and Mike McBryde put runners on first and second with one out before Matt Downs delivered an RBI single. After Tyler Graham grounded out, Bobby Felmy grounded a single into right field to plate McBryde. Pablo Sandoval then singled sharply up the middle to score Downs as San Jose had pulled to within 7-4. But JetHawks reliever Bryce Cox would retire the next hitter, Ryan Rohlinger, on a routine fly out to left field to end the rally.

Reddick connected for a solo home run in the top of the ninth inning against Trinidad to make it an 8-4 margin before Cox fired a hitless bottom of the ninth to seal the Lancaster victory.

Downs (2-for-4, RBI), Sandoval (2-for-4, 2 RBI) and Sarmiento (2-for-4) each finished with multiple-hit games for the Giants. Lancaster out-hit San Jose by a 10-9 margin.

Jesse English started the game on the mound for the Giants and was impressive during his five scoreless innings. English, who threw 86 pitches during his outing, surrendered three hits with two walks and seven strikeouts. Steve Edlefsen (2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 SO) then worked a pair of scoreless innings over the sixth and seventh frames to keep San Jose in front.

The Giants initially took the lead with a single run in the bottom of the fourth against JetHawks starting pitcher Chris Jones. Consecutive singles from Downs and Graham started the inning before a sacrifice bunt from Felmy put runners on second and third. Downs then scored when the next hitter, Sandoval, grounded out to first.

Jones (4-4) was credited with the victory after seven excellent innings. The right-hander allowed just one run on four hits as he walked one and struck out five. Leading 1-0, the Giants put runners on first and third with none out in the bottom of the seventh, but Jones pitched out of trouble when Rohlinger lined out to shallow right field and Andy D'Alessio bounced into an inning-ending double play.

Notes: The Giants were swept at home in a series for the first time this season ... San Jose still boasts the top home record in the California League at 25-10 ... Griffin's ERA increased from 2.37 to 3.72 ... Place was 1-for-12 with seven strikeouts in the series before his eighth-inning grand slam ... English lowered his ERA to 2.63 - fourth in the California League ... San Jose hit into three double plays ... The Giants finished with a 3-4 record on the seven-game homestand.

On Deck: The Giants will begin their final series of the first half on Friday night with the opener of a three-game set against the Bakersfield Blaze. First pitch at Sam Lynn Ballpark is at approximately 7:45 P.M. Clayton Tanner (5-4, 3.96 ERA) is slated to start on the mound for San Jose while Bakersfield is expected to counter with Evan Reed (5-2, 4.71 ERA). The game can be heard live on www.sjgiants.com.

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California League Stories from June 12, 2008


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