CalL1 San Jose Giants

Lancaster Drops Giants With Walk-Off Home Run

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


Lancaster's Jay Austin hit a two-out, two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning propelling the JetHawks to an 11-9 victory over the San Jose Giants on Wednesday evening at Clear Channel Stadium. The Giants tied the game in the top of the ninth on James Simmons' two-out, RBI single before Austin's walk-off home run in the bottom of the frame. Lancaster takes two out of three games in the series to drop San Jose's overall record to 65-51.

Jose Flores (1-for-3, HR, 4 RBI) hit a first-inning grand slam, but the Giants were unable to hold an early 7-0 lead. Francisco Peguero (1-for-5, HR, RBI) added a game-tying solo home run in the top of the eighth.

Edwin Quirarte (2-8) suffered his eighth loss of the season after surrendering the game-winning homer in the ninth. Quirarte allowed three runs (all earned) on three hits over 1 2/3 innings of work.

The wild final two innings began when Peguero lined a two-out, solo homer to deep left center field in the top of the eighth to bring the Giants even at 8-8. Peguero's home run was his ninth of the season.

Quirarte then entered the contest to begin the bottom of the eighth and promptly issued a leadoff walk to Brandon Wikoff. Austin followed with a sacrifice bunt before Jonathan Villar lined a single into center advancing Wikoff to third. Villar then stole second, but Quirarte recovered to strikeout Brandon Barnes on three pitches. Quirarte intentionally walked Brian Pellegrini to load the bases, but then walked Andy Simunic on four pitches to force home Wikoff giving Lancaster a 9-8 lead.

The Giants though answered with a run of their own in the top of the ninth to again draw even. Charlie Culberson started the frame with a line drive single into right center field before advancing to second on Flores' sacrifice bunt. JetHawks reliever David Berner then retired Drew Biery on a deep fly out to left while a wild pitch moved Culberson up to third. Simmons then lined a 3-2 pitch up the middle for a single plating Culberson with the tying run. Pinch-hitter Michael Sandoval followed by drawing a four-pitch walk, but Berner induced the next hitter, Juan Perez, to ground into a fielder's choice to shortstop.

Quirarte returned to the mound in the bottom of the ninth and quickly set down the first two batters of the inning before Wikoff singled sharply up the middle. Austin then worked the count full and hammered the 3-2 pitch over the fence in deep right center field for the game-winning home run.

Berner (5-5) was credited with the victory despite giving up the lead in the eighth and ninth innings. He allowed two runs on three hits over two innings.

The Giants jumped ahead early in the top of the first as Wendell Fairley reached on a one-out bunt single before consecutive walks to Johnny Monell and Culberson loaded the bases with two outs. Flores then stepped to the plate and drove a 2-0 pitch over the fence down the right field line for a grand slam.

San Jose extended their lead to 5-0 in the top of the second when Perez scored on a wild pitch before Monell hammered a two-run double into the right field corner to make it 7-0.

Oliver Odle started on the mound for the Giants and worked the first five innings with four runs (all earned) and nine hits allowed. Odle struck out six and walked none. The right-hander began his outing with three scoreless innings before Mark Ori connected for a two-out, two-run single in the bottom of the fourth to get Lancaster on the scoreboard. Odle then allowed two more runs in the fifth as Villar delivered an RBI single before scoring on a two-out wild pitch to bring the JetHawks to within 7-4.

Lancaster then scored four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning against a pair of San Jose relievers to take their first lead of the game. Facing Ben Wilshire (1/3 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO) Ori started the frame with a single before Jordan Comadena reached on a fielding error committed by Flores at shortstop. After a sacrifice bunt, Austin belted a two-run double to deep right center field to make it 7-6. Brian Anderson (1 2/3 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO) was then summoned from the bullpen and he allowed an RBI single to Villar tying the game at 7-7. Villar eventually scored the go-ahead run on a two-out wild pitch.

The JetHawks bullpen combined for five scoreless innings until Peguero's game-tying homer in the top of the eighth.

Notes: The Giants finished their road trip with a 3-3 record ... Lancaster out-hit San Jose by a 16-13 margin ... Flores has hit three home runs, including two grand slams, in his last five games ... He's 11-for-22 (.500) during that span ... Every Giants starter recorded at least one hit ... Perez (2-for-6), Fairley (2-for-4), Biery (2-for-5, 2 2B) and Joel Weeks (2-for-4) each finished with two hits ... Quirarte's eight losses are tied for the team lead.

On Deck: The Giants enjoy an off day on Thursday before opening a three-game series against the visiting Modesto Nuts on Friday evening. First pitch at Municipal Stadium is scheduled for 7:00 PM. Kyle Woodruff (1-1, 2.82 ERA) is slated to start on the mound for San Jose while Modesto is expected to counter with Juan Nicasio (9-9, 4.33 ERA). The Giants are proud to host their fourth annual Hawaiian celebration, "A Giant Luau." The evening will be full of Hawaiian festivities ranging from hula dancers and island music to Hawaiian cuisine and a special pig roasting ceremony in Turkey Mike's BBQ. In addition, the team will be wearing special Hawaiian themed jerseys that will be auctioned off during the game. Fans that wear their Hawaiian gear to the game Friday night will receive two FREE future game tickets. Gates open at 5:30 PM so make sure to be one of the first 1,000 fans in attendance who will receive festive leis and thundersticks, courtesy of Alaska Airlines. One lucky fan will walk away with a trip for two to Hawaii on Alaska Airlines. Tickets are available and can be purchased by calling (408) 297-1435 or by visiting www.sjgiants.com. Friday's game will also be televised live on Comcast Hometown Network, Channel 104.

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California League Stories from August 12, 2010


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