CalL1 San Jose Giants

Mavericks Use Big Inning to Defeat Giants, 8-6

Published on May 25, 2013 under California League (CalL1)
San Jose Giants News Release


ADELANTO - The High Desert Mavericks scored six runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to spark a come-from-behind 8-6 victory over the San Jose Giants on Friday evening at Mavericks Stadium. San Jose was unable to hold a 6-2 lead as High Desert sent 10 batters to the plate and homered twice during the decisive seventh-inning rally. With the loss, the Giants fall to 31-17 while their first half North Division lead has been trimmed to a half-game over the Visalia Rawhide (30-17).

Chris Lofton (2-for-4, 3B, 2 SB) had a pair of hits and scored three runs to lead San Jose offensively. The Giants though were unable to capitalize on four High Desert errors while finishing the game just 3-for-16 with runners in scoring position.

Down by four runs, the Mavericks began the bottom of the seventh with a home run as Dillon Hazlett greeted new pitcher Austin Fleet with a round-tripper to left. Anthony Phillips followed with a triple off the wall in right before Chris Taylor walked to put runners on the corners. Jamal Austin then lined a single into right field as Phillips raced home with the second run of the frame. A pitching change brought Jose Casilla into the game and after Austin stole second, Ji-Man Choi delivered an RBI groundout to first bringing High Desert to within 6-5. Jabari Blash was up next and he crushed a 2-2 pitch from Casilla over the fence in left for a go-ahead two-run homer. The home run was Blash's 12th of the season - tied for the California League lead.

The seventh-inning rally continued when with two outs, Ramon Morla reached on an error committed by third baseman Brock Bond. With Morla attempting to steal second on the pitch, Steven Baron blooped a single into right field. On the play, Morla sprinted all the way home to score the sixth and final run of the inning and give the Mavericks an 8-6 lead.

San Jose threatened in the top of the eighth as Bobby Haney led off with a single before John Polonius reached on an error to put the potential tying run on base. However, Eliezer Zambrano's sacrifice bunt attempt resulted in Haney getting forced out at third. Lofton then flied out to right before Angel Villalona struck out swinging.

In the top of the ninth, High Desert reliever Dominic Leone set down the Giants 1-2-3 as Bond grounded out before Mac Williamson and Devin Harris both struck out swinging.

Stephen Shackleford (2-2) notched the win after tossing 1 1/3 innings of relief with one run and two hits allowed. Shackleford gave up a single run in the top of the seventh, but stranded the bases loaded before the Mavericks rallied in the bottom of the frame. Leone earned his second save of the year.

Edwin Escobar worked six effective innings to begin the game for San Jose allowing just two runs (one earned) on five hits. Escobar, who received a no-decision, walked two and struck out three during his 81-pitch performance.

The Giants took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first as Lofton began the game with a single, promptly stole two bases and after Shawn Payne drew a walk, scored when Bond grounded into a double play.

In the top of the third, Polonius led off with a triple into the right center field gap and scored when the next batter, Zambrano, lined a single up the middle.

After the Mavericks cut the lead in half with a run on a passed ball in the bottom of the third, San Jose pushed across a pair of runs in the top of the fourth inning. A walk to Bond started the frame before Williamson reached on an error. Harris singled to load the bases and then a wild pitch from High Desert starter Jordan Pries brought home Bond. Elliott Blair then grounded out to shortstop plating Williamson for a 4-1 advantage.

In the bottom of the fourth, the Mavericks scored once to cut the lead to 4-2 as Baron came through with a two-out, RBI single. However, the Giants got the run right back in the fifth as Lofton tripled to deep right center with one out and scored a batter later when Payne hit a sacrifice fly.

San Jose extended their lead to 6-2 in the top of the seventh as two walks and a Bond single loaded the bases with one out. Then Williamson's potential double play grounder to second was mishandled by Phillips for an error as a run scored to increase the Giants lead. San Jose though couldn't add on in the inning as Harris struck out and Blair grounded out before High Desert erupted in the bottom of the frame.

Fleet (0 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 0 SO) and Casilla (1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO) combined to allow all six runs in the bottom of the seventh inning. Casilla (1-1) was saddled with his first loss of the season.

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California League Stories from May 25, 2013


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