Modesto Scores Four In Ninth To Shock Giants, 5-4
April 8, 2008 - California League (CalL1)
San Jose Giants News Release
The Modesto Nuts scored four runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to defeat the San Jose Giants 5-4 on Monday night in the opener of a three-game series at John Thurman Field. Nuts catcher Mike McKenry delivered a bases loaded single with two outs to score the winning run and send the Giants to their first loss of the season.
With San Jose ahead 4-1, Mike Paulk started the ninth inning rally with a double into the right field corner off Craig Whitaker (0-1). Victor Ferrante followed with a towering home run off the scoreboard in deep left center to bring the Nuts within 4-3. After Whitaker struck out Jay Cox, Cole Garner was hit by a pitch and Matt Repec drew a walk to put the potential tying and winning runs on base.
Juan Trinidad was then summoned from the bullpen and he promptly retired Nick Haley on a foul pop-out to third base. But Anthony Jackson followed with a line drive single into center field plating Garner with the tying run. Center fielder Mike McBryde made an accurate one-hop throw to the plate, but Garner collided with Pablo Sandoval, knocking the ball out of the catcher's glove.
Repec and Jackson advanced to third and second base respectively on the throw and then Geoff Strickland was intentionally walked to load the bases. That brought up McKenry and he lined a clean single into left field to easily score Repec with the winning tally.
Pablo Sandoval (3-for-4, 2B) continued his hot hitting to lead a seven-hit San Jose offensive attack. The Giants scored all four of their runs in the top of the second inning, taking advantage of three walks and an error.
Trailing 1-0, Brett Pill started the frame by drawing a walk. After Sandoval blooped a single into left field, a wild pitch from Modesto starter Shane Lindsay moved the runners to second and third. Matt Downs followed with a walk and then Andy D'Alessio drew a four-pitch walk to bring home San Jose's first run of the contest.
Tyler Graham scored Sandoval with a sacrifice fly to center field before Sharlon Schoop doubled down the right field line to bring home another run. On the play, Ferrante in right field made an errant throw into second base in an effort to retire Schoop and that allowed D'Alessio to score the Giants' fourth run of the inning.
Jesse English worked four effective innings to begin the game for San Jose. The left-hander surrendered four hits and one earned run with one walk and five strikeouts. The Nuts jumped ahead 1-0 in the bottom of the first inning when Jackson led off by drawing a walk and eventually scored on a wild pitch.
Taylor Wilding (2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 SO) and Ryan Shaver (2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 SO) both excelled out of the Giants bullpen. Wilding worked the fifth and sixth innings before Shaver set down all six batters he faced.
Three Modesto relievers combined to shutout San Jose over the final six innings of the evening.
Notes: The Giants dropped to 4-1 on their season-opening seven-game roadtrip ... Schoop (2-for-4, 2 2B, SB) also contributed a multiple-hit game at the plate ... Modesto out-hit San Jose by a 9-7 margin ... The Giants and Nuts will play 31 times this season, including 17 games at John Thurman Field ... Whitaker suffered the loss after surrendering four runs (all earned) on two hits in 1/3 of an inning ... Outfielder Mike Mooney (leg) missed his third consecutive game ... He is considered day-to-day ... Sandoval has recorded 10 hits in his first 18 at-bats (.556 AVG) this season ... Monday marked Modesto's home-opener and the game was played in front of a capacity crowd of 4,177.
On Deck: The Giants and Nuts continue this three-game series on Tuesday evening with first pitch at John Thurman Field scheduled for 7:05 P.M. Clayton Tanner (1-0, 0.00 ERA) is slated to start on the mound for San Jose while Modesto is expected to counter with Esmil Rogers (1-0, 1.80 ERA). The game can be heard live on www.sjgiants.com.
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California League Stories from April 8, 2008
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- Modesto Scores Four In Ninth To Shock Giants, 5-4 - San Jose Giants
- JetHawks, 66ers Still Tied Through Fifteen Innings; Finish Postponed - Lancaster JetHawks
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