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CalL San Jose Giants

Late Lead Slips Away, Skid Reaches Five Games

July 11, 2022 - California League (CalL)
San Jose Giants News Release


The San Jose Giants suffered another heartbreaking loss in Fresno with Sunday's 3-2 defeat to the host Grizzlies at Chukchansi Park. Fresno scored twice in the bottom of the ninth inning with the winning run coming home on a Giants error as the Grizzlies secured their second walk-off victory in the last three days. The loss was San Jose's (46-35, 6-9 second half) season-high fifth in a row.

Both walk-off losses for the Giants in the series - Friday and Sunday - saw a San Jose error bring home the winning run. Additionally, the Giants carried leads into the seventh inning in each of the last three games in this week's matchup with Fresno, but lost all three contests.

Nick Sinacola had a spectacular start on Sunday for San Jose tossing six scoreless innings with only four hits (all singles) allowed. Sinacola walked none and struck out six during his 69-pitch masterpiece.

The Giants took a 1-0 lead on three consecutive singles in the top of the fourth. Carter Williams' one-out single started the rally before Riley Mahan reached safely on a bunt hit. Victor Bericoto was up next and he lined a single into right center plating Williams with the first run of the night.

Meanwhile, Sinacola breezed through the majority of his outing. The Grizzlies threatened in the bottom of the third as a pair of singles put runners on the corners with two outs, but Sinacola picked-off Benny Montgomery at first base to end the inning. Sinacola then struck out two batters each in the fourth and fifth innings. In the bottom of the sixth, Braxton Fulford singled with two outs and advanced to second on a wild pitch, but was stranded there when Sinacola retired Zach Kokoska on a fly out.

Matt Mikulski, in his first appearance of the season out of the bullpen, relieved Sinacola to begin the bottom of the seventh and escaped a jam to maintain the 1-0 lead. With one out, Bryant Quijada singled before Aiverson Rodriguez was hit by a pitch. Mikulski though induced the next hitter, Yorvis Torrealba, to ground into an inning-ending 4-6-3 double play.

San Jose then added to their lead with a single tally in the top of the eighth. Hayden Cantrelle singled with one out and then advanced to third when Williams grounded a single through the hole on the right side. Williams was also able to take second on the throw towards third base. Mahan followed with a grounder to the drawn-in Ben Sems at shortstop, who easily threw out Cantrelle at the plate for the second out. However with Bericoto up next, Grizzlies reliever Tyler Ahearn uncorked a wild pitch allowing Williams to score for a 2-0 advantage.

Mikulski returned to the mound in the bottom of the eighth and surrendered an unearned run as Fresno cut the deficit in half. A two-base throwing error on the shortstop Cantrelle with one out allowed Juan Brito to reach safely. Montgomery then lined an RBI single into left center as Brito scored pulling the Grizzlies within 2-1. A walk to Fulford followed, but Mikulski recovered to retire Kokoska on a pop out before pinch-hitter Juan Guerrero struck out to end the inning.

The score remained at 2-1 entering the bottom of the ninth as Mikulski looked to close out Fresno. A double to deep left center from Quijada though started the inning before Rodriguez's sacrifice bunt advanced the runner to third. Torrealba followed by lining the first pitch of his at-bat into left for a single as Quijada scored to tie the game 2-2. EJ Andrews Jr. then singled sharply into left center advancing Torrealba, the potential winning run, to third. Brito was up next and the Grizzlies attempted a suicide squeeze bunt play on a 1-1 pitch. Brito would miss on the bunt attempt though and Torrealba was caught halfway between third and home. Giants catcher Ronaldo Flores hurriedly threw the ball to third baseman Yorlis Rodriguez to start the rundown as Torrealba broke for the plate. Rodriguez's quick return throw home, however, sailed high and went to the backstop as Torrealba slid across the plate with the game-winning run.

GIANTS NOTES

Five-Game Skid: The San Jose Giants have lost five games in a row for the first time since the 2019 season (July 31-August 4).

Versus The Grizzlies: After winning five of six games during the Grizzlies' most recent visit to San Jose (June 14-19), the Giants dropped five of six games during this week's series in Fresno. It marks the first time this season that San Jose has lost at least five games in a six-game series. The Giants are now 9-9 versus the Grizzlies this year.

Sinacola Sensational: In two starts during the series this week, Nick Sinacola pitched 11 innings and allowed only one run. He walked none and struck out 11.

Hitting Leaders: Carter Williams (3-for-4) and Riley Mahan (2-for-4) had multi-hit games for the Giants on Sunday. Both teams finished with nine hits. All nine San Jose hits were singles. The Giants were 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position.

Walk-Offs: The Giants had suffered only two walk-off losses all season before the two walk-off defeats over the last three games in this series.

On Deck: Following an off day, the Giants return home to open a six-game set against the Visalia Rawhide. Tuesday's series opener at Excite Ballpark is a 6:30 PM first pitch. Visit sjgiants.com for information on upcoming promotions and to purchase tickets.

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