CalL1 San Jose Giants

Graham's Single Propels Giants To 13-Inning Victory

Published on August 3, 2008 under California League (CalL1)
San Jose Giants News Release


Tyler Graham singled home Sharlon Schoop in the bottom of the 13th inning to propel the San Jose Giants to an exciting 4-3 victory over the Modesto Nuts on Sunday evening at Municipal Stadium. Schoop doubled with one out in the inning before Graham blooped a fly ball into shallow right center field that just escaped the diving Travis Becktel. Schoop then raced home and avoided the tag from catcher Michael McKenry to score the winning run and give the Giants a series victory over the Nuts. With the win, San Jose improves their second half record to 25-18 and moves into first place in the North Division - 1/2 game ahead of Modesto (24-18).

Steve Edlefsen (6-4) earned the victory after striking out the side in the top of the 13th inning. Edlefsen entered the game to begin the 13th and promptly walked the leadoff batter, Daniel Mayora. After a strikeout of Mike Paulk, Mayora advanced to second base on a wild pitch before Edlefsen struck out Victor Ferrante. Jay Cox was up next and after a passed ball to catcher Tyler LaTorre moved Mayora to third, Edlefsen struck out the hitter to end the inning.

Giants starting pitcher Tim Alderson was spectacular on the mound tossing six scoreless innings. The right-hander surrendered just two hits (both singles) with no walks and four strikeouts. Alderson, who threw only 66 pitches during his outing, lowered his ERA to 2.82 - third in the California League.

Graham (4-for-6, 2B, RBI) led the 13-hit San Jose offensive attack on Sunday. Matt Downs (3-for-6, 2 RBI) and Darren Ford (2-for-4, RBI, 2 SB) also contributed multiple-hit games.

The Giants led 3-0 until Modesto scored a single run in the top of the seventh inning against San Jose reliever Juan Trinidad. Ferrante led off the frame with a single before advancing to third base when the next hitter, Cox, doubled to deep left. Ferrante would eventually score on a ground out off the bat of Kane Simmons.

Dan Otero worked a scoreless top of the eighth, but struggled in the ninth. Otero issued a four-pitch walk to Ferrante to begin the frame before Cox again doubled, this time into the right field corner. The hit put runners at second and third and brought the potential go-ahead run to the plate. Michael McKenry was up next and he belted a double off the fence in deep left field to easily score both runners and tie the contest.

Joe Paterson was then summoned from the bullpen and he needed just one pitch to retire the next hitter, Jason Van Kooten, on a fly out to shallow right field. Waldis Joaquin was then called into pitch and after an intentional walk, set down Becktel on a strikeout before Radamas Nazario grounded out to shortstop stranding the go-ahead run at third base.

Joaquin (1 2/3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 SO) worked a perfect top of the 10th before giving way to Taylor Wilding. Wilding (2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 SO) retired the Nuts in order in the 11th and then worked through an error and a single to put up a zero in the top of the 12th.

San Jose initially jumped in front with a single run in the bottom of the first inning. Consecutive walks to Ford and Brad Boyer began the frame before Downs grounded an RBI single into left field.

In the bottom of the fifth, Graham doubled to the gap in left center field with one out before Mike McBryde singled to put runners on the corners. Ford then delivered a line drive single into right field plating Graham with the second run of the night. Two batters later, Downs singled up the middle scoring McBryde for a 3-0 Giants advantage.

Notes: The Giants finished 6-1 on their seven-game road trip ... The 13 innings played matches San Jose's longest game of the season ... Their other 13-inning contest was earlier in the homestand when the Giants defeated Rancho Cucamonga 2-1 on July 29 ... Edlefsen was also the winning pitcher in that game ... San Jose used seven pitchers on Sunday ... The Giants out-hit the Nuts by a 13-8 margin ... Ford stole two bases to give him 55 this season ... San Jose improved their overall record to 68-45 - tops in the California League ... The Giants are 6-2 in extra-inning games.

On Deck: The Giants enjoy a day off on Monday before returning to action in Visalia on Tuesday evening with the opener of a three-game series. First pitch against the Oaks at Recreation Park is scheduled for 7:05 P.M. Jesse English (11-4, 3.09 ERA) is slated to start on the mound for San Jose while Visalia is expected to counter with Barry Enright (9-6, 4.65 ERA). The game can be heard live on www.sjgiants.com.

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California League Stories from August 3, 2008


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