CalL1 San Jose Giants

Lake Elsinore Completes Sweep of Giants

Published on July 12, 2010 under California League (CalL1)
San Jose Giants News Release


Five Lake Elsinore pitchers combined to limit the Giants to four hits as the Storm completed a three-game series sweep with a 5-1 victory over San Jose on Monday afternoon at Municipal Stadium. Charlie Culberson supplied the Giants' only run with a solo homer in the bottom of the ninth inning as San Jose matched a season-high with their fourth consecutive loss.

Eric Surkamp (4-2) struck out 10 batters over seven effective innings, but still suffered the loss for the Giants. The San Jose starter allowed two runs (both earned) on just three hits without issuing a walk during his stint on the mound. Surkamp took a no-hitter into the sixth inning for a second straight outing.

Cody Decker (2-for-4, 2 HR, 3 RBI) homered twice to lead a six-hit Lake Elsinore offensive attack.

Neither team mustered a hit until Francisco Peguero led off the bottom of the fourth with a sharp single into center field. After stealing second base, Peguero advanced to third on Juan Perez's groundout, but was then unable to score as Storm starting pitcher Jeremy McBryde struck out Johnny Monell before Culberson grounded out.

Surkamp began his outing by setting down 13 consecutive Lake Elsinore hitters, including six via the strikeout. The Storm finally managed a baserunner when Jaff Decker was hit by a pitch with one out in the top of the fifth, however Surkamp quickly set down the next two hitters to end the inning.

The Storm broke through against Surkamp in the top of the sixth as Adam Zornes grounded a single up the middle to begin the frame marking Lake Elsinore's first hit of the day. After Bo Davis sacrificed Zornes to second with a bunt, Daniel Robertson bounced a double down the left field line to bring home Zornes with the first run of the game.

Cody Decker extended the Storm lead to 2-0 when he belted a one-out, solo homer to left in the top of the seventh. Jesus Lopez made it 3-0 with a solo shot in the eighth inning against reliever Ryan Verdugo before Decker's second home run - a two-run blast in the ninth - extended the lead to 5-0.

Trailing by three runs, the Giants threatened in the bottom of the eighth as Lake Elsinore reliever Aaron Breit issued consecutive two- out walks to Ehire Adrianza and Peguero. However, Storm closer Brad Brach came on and set down Perez, the potential tying run, on a pop out to first base ending the inning.

Culberson got San Jose on the scoreboard when he drove a 3-2 pitch from Brach over the fence in left with one out in the bottom of the ninth. The home run was Culberson's team-leading 12th of the season.

McBryde (1-0) earned his first victory of the year after tossing five scoreless innings with two hits allowed. He struck out two and walked none. Brach picked-up his league-leading 29th save.

Notes: The Giants were 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position and are 2-for-32 during their current four-game losing streak ... Monday marked the final regular season meeting between San Jose and Lake Elsinore ... The Storm won the season series by a 4-2 margin ... Surkamp has struck out 24 batters over his last two starts (14 innings) ... He suffered his first loss since April 28 - a span of 12 starts ... Verdugo (2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 2 SO) was the only Giants reliever to appear in the game ... Peguero stole his team-leading 30th base of the season ... San Jose's overall record dropped to 50-39.

On Deck: The Giants begin a six-game road trip on Wednesday evening with the first of three straight against the High Desert Mavericks. First pitch at Stater Bros. Stadium is scheduled for 7:05 PM. Justin Fitzgerald (6-2, 3.40 ERA) is slated to start on the mound for San Jose while High Desert is expected to counter with Jon Hesketh (0-1, 4.22 ERA). The game can be heard live on www.sjgiants.com.

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California League Stories from July 12, 2010


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