CalL San Jose Giants

Late Rally Falls Short In 3-2 Loss To Grizzlies

Published on August 5, 2022 under California League (CalL)
San Jose Giants News Release


The San Jose Giants saw their late rally fall short in a 3-2 loss to the host Fresno Grizzlies on Thursday evening at Chukchansi Park. The Giants scored twice in the top of the seventh to pull within a run, but left the bases loaded in the eighth and then went down in the ninth as Fresno held on for the victory. With the defeat, San Jose (57-42, 17-16 second half) has now dropped two of the first three games in the series.

Grizzlies starting pitcher Victor Juarez was the standout performer on Thursday as the right-hander fired six scoreless innings with only two hits allowed. Juarez walked one, struck out seven and did not permit a Giants baserunner to advance past first base during his entire outing.

Fresno built a 3-0 lead in the contest with two runs in the bottom of the third before a single tally in the fifth. Manuel Mercedes started on the mound for San Jose and began his night with two hitless innings. Ben Sems though led off the bottom of the third with a triple into the right field corner. Mercedes then walked Adael Amador and plunked Benny Montgomery as the Grizzlies loaded the bases with none out. A four-pitch walk to Yanquiel Fernandez followed to bring home Sems with the first run of the game. Juan Guerrero's double play grounder to shortstop then scored another run to make it 2-0.

In the bottom of the fifth, Giants reliever Esmerlin Vinicio issued a one-out walk to Amador to start Fresno's run-scoring rally. A wild pitch followed by a balk then advanced Amador to third base. Then with two down, Fernandez beat out a slow grounder to first for an infield single as Amador scored for a 3-0 Grizzlies advantage.

San Jose finally broke through with a two-run top of the seventh against the Fresno bullpen. Aeverson Arteaga led off the inning with a single. Carter Williams then hit a grounder into the hole on the right side that second baseman Juan Brito gloved with a diving stop. Brito's throw to first, however, sailed high and bounced into foul territory. Williams was credited with a single with the runners moving up to second and third on the error. Victor Bericoto followed with an RBI groundout plating Arteaga with the first Giants run. Then with two outs, Yorlis Rodriguez singled home Williams to make it a 3-2 game.

San Jose kept the pressure on in the top of the eighth, but could not complete the comeback. Consecutive singles from Rayner Santana and Anyesber Sivira to start the inning put the potential tying and go-ahead runs on base. Grant McCray was up next, but he struck out swinging on the ninth pitch of his at-bat. Arteaga's groundout to second then moved the runners up to second and third. An intentional walk to Williams followed that loaded the bases, but Bericoto struck out swinging to end the inning.

GIANTS NOTES

Versus The Grizzlies: With Thursday's setback, the Giants fell to 10-11 against Fresno this season, including a 2-7 mark at Chukchansi Park. The home team has won 11 out of the last 13 head-to-head matchups between the clubs.

Inside The Box Score: The Grizzlies won despite being out-hit by the Giants 7-4. Rayner Santana (2-for-3) was the only San Jose player with a multi-hit game. All seven Giants hits were singles. Victor Juarez faced just one batter over the minimum during his six-inning start.

On The Mound: Manuel Mercedes (1-4) was saddled with the loss after yielding two runs (both earned) in his four innings of work. Mercedes surrendered only one hit, but walked four. He struck out three. Esmerlin Vinicio (2 2/3 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 4 SO) and John Gavin (1 1/3 IP, 2 SO) combined to throw four innings of relief with only one run allowed.

Second Half Update: Following Thursday's contest, the Giants reached the midpoint of the 66-game second half. At 17-16, San Jose is tied for second with Fresno in the North Division standings - four games behind Modesto (21-12) for the top spot.

On Deck: The Giants and Grizzlies continue their series on Friday evening with first pitch at Chukchansi Park set for 6:50 PM. Eric Silva is San Jose's scheduled starting pitcher.

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California League Stories from August 5, 2022


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