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CalL1 San Jose Giants

Late Offense Pushes Giants Past Modesto, 5-3

July 2, 2013 - California League (CalL1)
San Jose Giants News Release


MODESTO - The San Jose Giants scored five runs over the last three innings to earn a come-from-behind 5-3 victory over the Modesto Nuts on Monday evening at John Thurman Field. San Jose overcame a late 2-0 deficit taking the lead on Ricky Oropesa's solo home run in the top of the eighth en route to the series-opening win. With the victory, the Giants (50-32) become the first team in the California League this season to reach the 50-win mark.

Oropesa (2-for-4, 2B, HR, RBI) added a key double late in the game for San Jose in his return to the California League. Chris Lofton (3-for-5, 2B, 3B) finished a home run shy of the cycle while Myles Schroder (2-for-3) produced a pair of hits and Brock Bond (1-for-5, 2 RBI) drove home two runs for the Giants offensively.

San Jose trailed by a 2-0 score after six innings before breaking through in the top of the seventh. Oropesa led off with a double to deep right center field before Devin Harris reached on an infield single to put runners on the corners. Jeff Arnold then grounded into a fielder's choice for the first out, but Oropesa came home on the play with the Giants' first run of the night.

San Jose had an opportunity to tie the game later in the seventh as back-to-back walks to Bobby Haney and Schroder loaded the bases with one out, however Travious Relaford and Brock Bond both struck out to end the inning.

The Giants kept the pressure on in the top of the eighth as Lofton started the frame with a triple to deep right field. Lofton then immediately scored the tying run when the next batter, Mac Williamson, hit a sacrifice fly to right. Oropesa was up next and he blasted a 1-0 pitch from Nuts reliever Nelson Gonzalez over the fence in deep right center field. The home run gave San Jose their first lead of the game at 3-2.

Modesto threatened in the bottom of the eighth as Stephen Harrold issued consecutive two-out walks to put the potential tying run at second base. However, Jose Casilla entered the game and promptly struck out Will Swanner on three pitches to keep the Giants ahead.

San Jose plated two more runs in the top of the ninth as Bond delivered a one-out, two-RBI single up the middle to make it 5-2.

In the bottom of the ninth, Harold Riggins connected for a one-out solo home run off of Bryce Bandilla to trim the Giants lead to 5-3. With two outs, David Kandilas ripped a triple off the wall to bring the tying run to the plate, but Bandilla settled down to retire Tim Smalling on a groundout to second to end the game.

Harrold (2-0) was credited with the win after tossing 1 2/3 hitless innings of relief. Harrold walked two and struck out one. Bandilla, who allowed one run on two hits in the ninth inning, picked-up his fifth save of the year.

Gonzalez (3-5) took the loss after surrendering four runs (two earned) on four hits over the final 2 1/3 innings.

Edwin Escobar started on the mound for San Jose and worked six dominant innings. The left-hander allowed just two unearned runs on six hits. He walked none and struck out eight - one off of his season-high.

The Nuts took an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first on a two-out error. Smalling started the rally with a one-out double before Taylor Featherston singled. Smalling advanced to third on the hit while Featherston moved to second on the throw. Escobar struck out the next batter, Ryan Casteel, but then Jared Simon's grounder to third was misplayed by Relaford for an error allowing both runners to score.

Escobar settled down to not allow another run for the remainder of his outing. He pitched around leadoff doubles in the second and sixth innings to keep the deficit at 2-0.

Meanwhile, Modesto starter Eddie Butler tossed five scoreless innings with four hits allowed. Butler walked one and struck out six. The only inning against Butler in which the Giants put a runner into scoring position was the top of the fourth. Lofton led off the inning with a double, but Butler struck out Williamson and Oropesa before Harris grounded out to end the threat.

Nuts reliever Geoff Parker breezed through a 1-2-3 top of the sixth before running into trouble in the seventh as the Giants began their comeback.

Notes: San Jose has won three games in a row ... The Giants out-hit the Nuts by a 10-8 margin ... San Jose won for just the second time this season when trailing after seven innings ... Modesto finished 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position ... Escobar lowered his ERA to 3.19 - fourth in the California League ... Oropesa and Relaford joined the Giants earlier in the day from Richmond (AA) ... Oropesa hit 16 home runs with San Jose last season ... Pitcher Austin Fleet also rejoined the team from Fresno (AAA) on Monday.

On Deck: The Giants and Nuts continue their series on Tuesday evening with first pitch at John Thurman Field scheduled for 7:05 PM. Austin Fleet (4-1, 3.65 ERA) is slated to start on the mound for San Jose while Modesto is expected to counter with Tyler Gagnon (6-6, 6.28 ERA). The game can be heard live on sjgiants.com with coverage beginning at 6:35 PM.

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