CalL1 San Jose Giants

Ninth-Inning Run Propels Giants to Series Win

Published on August 24, 2010 under California League (CalL1)
San Jose Giants News Release


Wendell Fairley's bases loaded single with none out in the bottom of the ninth inning scored the winning run to lift the San Jose Giants to a 6-5 victory over the Stockton Ports on Monday evening at Municipal Stadium. Fairley's line drive to the right center field gap easily plated pinch-runner Ehire Adrianza from third base as the Giants took two out of three games in the series. The win improves San Jose's overall record to 69-57.

Jose Flores (3-for-5, SB), who began the decisive rally with a single, collected three hits to lead the Giants offensive attack. Fairley (2- for-4, RBI), Francisco Peguero (2-for-4), Johnny Monell (2-for-5) and Charlie Culberson (2-for-4, RBI) also knocked out two hits apiece. San Jose finished the contest with 15 hits.

With the score tied 5-5, Flores started the bottom of the ninth inning with a line drive single into center before he was removed from the game in favor of Adrianza. Monell was up next and he grounded an 0-2 pitch from Stockton reliever Trey Barham into right field for a single as Adrianza raced into third. After Culberson was intentionally walked to load bases, Fairley hammered a 1-1 offering over the head of right fielder Jermaine Mitchell for the game-winning hit.

Ryan Verdugo (3-0) was credited with the victory out of the Giants bullpen after tossing 1 1/3 scoreless innings. Verdugo surrendered a two-out single to Kent Walton in the top of the eighth that scored the tying run, but then stranded the potential go-ahead run at third base before firing a perfect ninth inning.

San Jose starter Oliver Odle matched a season-high with seven innings pitched and allowed three runs (all earned) on seven hits. Odle struck out five, walked none and retired the last 10 batters that he faced.

The Ports jumped out to a 3-0 lead with a single tally in the top of the second before two runs in the fourth. In the second, Yusuf Carter doubled with one out before the next hitter, Jeremy Barfield, delivered an RBI single. Odle did limit the damage in the inning as Stockton left runners at second and third.

In the top of the fourth, Carter again doubled after Odle retired the first batter of the frame before Barfield reached on an infield single. On the play, third baseman Joel Weeks threw wildly to first for an error in an attempt to retire Barfield allowing Carter to score the Ports' second run. Three batters later, Brandon Pinckney came through with a two-out single plating Barfield to make it 3-0.

The Giants began their comeback in the bottom of the fourth as Flores led off with a single, stole second and came home on Culberson's one- out single into left.

In the bottom of the fifth, James Simmons reached on a fielder's choice as Weeks, who had started the inning by drawing a walk, was forced out at second. After Peguero flied out and Simmons stole second, Juan Perez reached on an infield single. Stockton shortstop Grant Green attempted to retire Simmons on the play as the Giants baserunner rounded the bag, however the throw bounced past third baseman Stephen Parker and into foul territory. Simmons scored on the error bringing San Jose to within 3-2.

The Giants took their first lead of the game in the bottom of the sixth as Culberson led off with a single before Fairley was hit by a pitch. After Drew Biery flied out, Michael Sandoval flied out to center advancing Culberson and Fairley to third and second base respectively. Simmons then delivered the clutch hit with a line drive single up the middle to score both runners for a 4-3 San Jose advantage.

The Giants moved in front by a 5-3 margin in the bottom of the seventh as Monell singled with one out, moved to second on a wild pitch, advanced to third on Fairley's two-out infield single and came home when Biery clubbed a double into the left field corner.

After plunking David Thomas with two outs in the top of the fourth, Odle did not allow another Stockton hitter to reach base for the remainder of his outing. The Giants starter worked 1-2-3 fifth, sixth and seventh innings.

Edwin Quirarte (2/3 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO) relieved Odle to begin the top of the eighth and promptly allowed back-to-back singles to Parker and Mike Spina to begin the inning. After Carter bounced into a double play, Barfield reached on an infield single to score Parker cutting the San Jose lead in half. Verdugo then issued a four- pitch walk to pinch-hitter Tyler Ladendorf before Walton bounced a single up the middle to score the tying run. Verdugo did recover to set down the next hitter, Pinckney, on a fly out to right field to keep the game tied.

Notes: The Giants earned only their second home series win of the second half ... They swept Stockton from August 3-5 ... The Ports had won 14 games in a row before falling to San Jose the last two nights ... Monell extended his hitting streak to nine games ... The Giants out-hit Stockton by a 15-11 margin ... San Jose now possesses a four-game lead over the Ports, Modesto Nuts and Visalia Rawhide for the top overall record in the North Division ... 14 games remain in the regular season.

On Deck: The Giants continue their homestand on Tuesday evening with the opener of a three-game series against the Visalia Rawhide at Municipal Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 PM. Kyle Woodruff (2-2, 2.98 ERA) is slated to start on the mound for San Jose while Visalia is expected to counter with Dan Taylor (6-6, 6.45 ERA). Tickets are available and can be purchased by calling (408) 297-1435 or by visiting www.sjgiants.com. The game will also be televised live on Comcast Hometown Network, Channel 104.

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California League Stories from August 24, 2010


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