Modesto Holds off Giants, 5-4
Published on August 23, 2023 under California League (CalL)
San Jose Giants News Release
The San Jose Giants dropped their second straight game to Modesto with a 5-4 loss to the Nuts on Wednesday afternoon at Excite Ballpark. Modesto smacked three home runs in the contest and held off several Giants rallies to earn the narrow victory. San Jose (63-53 overall, 23-27 second half) is now 14-12 against the Nuts this season.
Luke Shliger (2-for-4, 2B, RBI) and Turner Hill (2-for-3, RBI) had two hits apiece to lead the Giants offensively in defeat.
A pair of early homers gave Modesto a 3-0 lead after 2 1/2 innings. Facing San Jose starter Manuel Mercedes, the top of the second began with a double from Lazaro Montes before Tatum Levins stepped to the plate with one out and crushed a two-run home run to right. An inning later, Brock Rodden's solo shot to right extended the Nuts lead to 3-0. Mercedes entered Wednesday having not allowed a home run all season over a team-leading 91 1/3 innings pitched.
The Giants responded though with single tallies in the fourth and fifth to pull within 3-2. In the bottom of the fourth, Hill drew a leadoff walk before Alexander Suarez beat out a grounder to shortstop for an infield single. After Diego Velasquez bounced into a force out that advanced Hill to third, Scott Bandura hit a sacrifice fly to left to put San Jose on the board.
In the bottom of the fifth, Shliger led off with a single before Dilan Rosario reached on a one-out error. Then with two down, Hill lined a single into center plating Shliger to trim the Nuts lead to 3-2.
San Jose, however, ultimately left the potential tying and go-ahead runs in scoring position to end the fifth and Modesto came right back with a run of their own in the top of the sixth. With Jorge Garcia on the mound out of the Giants bullpen, Luis Suisbel led off with a single, Montes walked with one out before Jared Sundstrom laced an RBI double to the fence in deep right center.
San Jose answered in the bottom of the sixth as Cole Foster reached on a two-out error before Shliger ripped an RBI double to the fence in right center as the deficit was cut to 4-3.
Shilger though was stranded at second and Modesto responded when RJ Schreck blasted the first pitch of the top of the seventh over the wall in right for a solo home run and a 5-3 Nuts advantage.
The Giants once again pulled back within a run in the bottom of the eighth as Suarez was hit by a pitch, advanced to second on Velasquez's sacrifice bunt and took third when Bandura grounded out. Foster then came up and blooped a single into shallow left to score Suarez as San Jose closed within 5-4.
Foster's hit would be the Giants' final baserunner, however, as Shliger grounded out to end the eighth before Modesto closer Juan Burgos breezed through a 1-2-3 bottom of the ninth to finish the game.
The Nuts out-hit the Giants 9-7. Six of Modesto's nine hits went for extra bases (three doubles & three home runs). Nuts starting pitcher Tyler Cleveland earned his league-leading 13th win after allowing only one earned run (three runs total) over the first six innings. Cleveland gave up five hits, walked one and struck out seven. Burgos was credited with his fifth save.
Mercedes (3-6) was charged with three runs (all earned) on five hits over five innings to take the loss.
Giants infielder Andrew Kachel, outfielder Tanner O'Tremba and pitchers Cameron Cotter and Ljay Newsome were all promoted to High-A Eugene before the game on Wednesday. San Jose added eight players from the Arizona Complex League, including 2023 first round draft pick Bryce Eldridge (OF/RHP). Catcher Drew Cavanaugh, infielders Javier Francisco, Quinn McDaniel, Charlie Szykowny and Justin Wishkoski along with pitchers Trent Harris and Cale Lansville also joined the Giants.
Luke Shliger had two hits and an RBI in Wednesday's 5-4 loss
The Giants continue their series against Modesto on Thursday evening with first pitch at Excite Ballpark set for 6:30 PM. Seth Corry is San Jose's scheduled starting pitcher. Visit sjgiants.com for tickets.
California League Stories from August 23, 2023
- Modesto Holds off Giants, 5-4 - San Jose Giants
- Inland Empire Wins Game One - Visalia Rawhide
- Fresno Grizzlies Game Notes vs Stockton - Fresno Grizzlies
- Ports Take Series Opener against Grizzlies - Stockton Ports
- Carrigg Continues Tear As Fresno Falls 6-1 To Stockton - Fresno Grizzlies
- Homestand Opens with Lopsided Loss - San Jose Giants
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
