
San Jose Giants at Inland Empire 66ers, September 1-3
September 1, 2009 - California League (CalL1)
San Jose Giants News Release
San Jose Giants (87-46) at Inland Empire 66ers (57-76)
At Arrowhead Credit Union Park
- Tuesday, September 1st at 7:05 PM
- Wednesday, September 2nd at 7:05 PM
- Thursday, September 3rd at 7:05 PM
Pitching Match Ups
- Tuesday - Clayton Tanner (11-6, 3.10) at Tim Sexton (8-13, 3.50)
- Wednesday - Paul Oseguera (5-7, 4.11) at Justin Miller (0-5, 7.20)
- Thursday - David Mixon (2-1, 3.63) at TBA
THE SAN JOSE GIANTS... embark on their final road trip of the regular season when they begin a three-game series against the Inland Empire 66ers on Tuesday evening at Arrowhead Credit Union Park. San Jose posted a 6-1 record during their recently completed homestand taking two out of three from Visalia before sweeping a four-game series versus Lancaster. The Giants wrapped up the home portion of their regular season schedule on Sunday with a 4-1 victory over the JetHawks. David Maroul hit a tiebreaker solo homer to lead off the bottom of the sixth before Roger Kieschnick delivered a key two-out, two-run
First And Second Half Champs... San Jose won both halves in the North Division for the second consecutive season and the third time this decade (2001, 2008, 2009). The Giants rallied to the first half crown overcoming a five-game deficit with 18 to play as they took over sole possession of the top spot in the division for the first time with only two days left before the All-Star break. In the second half, San Jose (45-18) went wire-to-wire en route to the division title. The Giants opened the second half with a 24-5 record and currently hold a 10-game lead over the Bakersfield Blaze (35-28). San Jose would have to finish with at least a 4-3 mark to break the team record for most wins in a half (1988, 48-24 record in second half).
Clark Named California League Pitcher Of The Year... Craig Clark was named California League Pitcher of the Year yesterday marking the second consecutive season and third time in the last four years that a Giants hurler has won the award (Kevin Pucetas - 2008, Brian Anderson - 2006). Clark has enjoyed one of the finest seasons in San Jose Giants history posting a 15-2 record and a 3.01 ERA over 24 appearances (23 starts). He has shattered the team record for longest win streak having won his last 14 decisions dating back to May 13. Clark is currently second in the California League in wins, second in ERA and fifth in strikeouts (132) while his 15 victories is also second-most in all of Minor League Baseball. The 25-year old southpaw finished the regular season a perfect 11-0 with a 2.09 ERA in 13 appearances at Municipal Stadium. He also set a Giants record and tied the California League mark by striking out 10 consecutive Stockton Ports hitters on June 1.
Kieschnick Garners Rookie Of The Year Award, Neal Also Earns All-Star Honor ... A second Giants player also won a major post-season award when right fielder Roger Kieschnick was named California League Rookie of the Year. Kieschnick, who is in his first professional season, is currently second in the league with 106 RBI's and tied for fifth with 23 home runs. He's also knocked out 35 doubles, eight triples, stolen nine bases while batting at a .299 clip. Neal, who garnered one of three outfield spots (includes Kieschnick) on the California League Post-Season All-Star team, is fifth in the league with a .333 batting average to go with 22 home runs and 86 RBI's. Neal is also second in on-base percentage (.425), tied for second in runs scored (96), fourth in slugging percentage (.585), fifth in hits (149) and fifth in doubles (39).
League-Leaders... The Giants lead the California League in several categories: wins (87), ERA (3.31), shutouts (11), fewest walks (379), fewest errors (126), fielding percentage (.975) and caught stealing against efficiency (43.1%).
Ford Flying High... Center fielder Darren Ford is batting .344 since the All-Star break with five triples, seven home runs, 34 RBI's and 23 stolen bases. He hit only .207 with one triple, two homers, 14 RBI's and eight steals in the first half. Ford batted just .173 and .189 in May and June respectively before a .352 average in July and a .348 mark in August. He also leads the team with a .337 batting average with runners in scoring position.
San Jose Achieves Single-Season Home Wins Record... The Giants finished the year with a 51-19 mark at Municipal Stadium to set a team record for most home wins. San Jose's last series loss at home came from May 19-21 when they dropped two out of three games to the Inland Empire 66ers. The Giants own a remarkable 36-8 (.818) record in their last 44 home games dating back to June 5.
Kieschnick And Neal In The Record Book... Roger Kieschnick and Thomas Neal continue to climb the charts in the single-season San Jose Giants record book for home runs and RBI's. Home Runs: 1. Tim Flaherty - 26 (2001), 2. Tim Flaherty - 25 (1999), T3. Roger Kieschnick - 23 (2009), T3. Mike Glendenning - 23 (1999), T5. Thomas Neal - 22 (2009) ... RBI's: 1. Mark Leonard - 118 (1988), 2. Rich Aldrete - 108 (1988), T3. Roger Kieschnick - 106 (2009), T3. Sean McGowan - 106 (2000).
Second-Best Record In Minor League Baseball... San Jose (87-46, .654) currently owns the second-best overall record among full-season teams in all of minor league baseball. The Giants trail only the Low-A Fort Wayne TinCaps (89-45, .664).
Media Coverage... The entire series from San Bernardino can be heard live on www.sjgiants.com with Joe Ritzo calling all of the action.
Inland Empire 66ers... The Inland Empire 66ers, an affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers, enter tonight's match-up with a 57-76 overall record and a 25-36 mark in the second half. Inland Empire trails the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (60-73) by three games for the final wild card spot in the South Division with seven to play.
California League Stories from September 1, 2009
- Craig Clark Named 2009 California League Pitcher of the Year - San Jose Giants
- Lake Elsinore Storm are "Hungry for a Championship" - Lake Elsinore Storm
- "Freakin' Free Friday" Opens Final JetHawks Homestand - Lancaster JetHawks
- San Jose Giants at Inland Empire 66ers, September 1-3 - 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.
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