CalL1 San Jose Giants

San Jose Giants at Visalia Rawhide, August 17-20

Published on August 17, 2010 under California League (CalL1)
San Jose Giants News Release


San Jose Giants (65-54) at Visalia Rawhide (61-58)

At Recreation Park

- Tuesday, August 17, 7:00 PM

- Wednesday, August 18, 7:00 PM

- Thursday, August 19, 7:00 PM

- Friday, August 20, 7:00 PM

Pitching Match Ups

- Tuesday - Jorge Bucardo (1-0, 3.38) at Patrick Corbin (5-3, 3.28)

- Wednesday - Oliver Odle (11-5, 5.19) at Eric Smith (2-4, 8.48)

- Thursday - Kyle Woodruff (1-2, 2.83) at Dan Taylor (6-5, 5.91)

- Friday - Kyle Nicholson (7-9, 6.13) at Ryan Cook (4-7, 4.24)

THE SAN JOSE GIANTS... begin a three-game series against the Visalia Rawhide this evening at Recreation Park. San Jose was swept in a three-game series by the visiting Modesto Nuts last weekend suffering a 6-1 loss on Friday before a 6-4 defeat on Saturday and a 3-2 setback on Sunday. The Giants took a 2-0 lead into the eighth inning in the series finale before the Nuts rallied for three runs - all with two outs - to move in front. Justin Fitzgerald, who entered the game in the top of the third and retired 15 out of the first 16 batters that he faced, suffered the loss for San Jose. Fitzgerald was charged with three runs (two earned) on four hits over 5 2/3 innings of work. San Francisco's Jeremy Affeldt pitched two scoreless innings to begin the contest in his second rehab start with the Giants. San Jose out-hit Modesto by a 9-5 margin, but were just 1-for-14 with runners in scoring position. Juan Perez, Johnny Monell and Wendell Fairley had two hits each to lead the Giants offensive attack.

Media Coverage... The entire series from Visalia can be heard live on www.sjgiants.com with Joe Ritzo calling all of the action. All 140 games this season will be aired on the club's official website.

San Jose Looks To Avoid Fifth Straight Defeat... The Giants bring a season-high tying four-game losing streak into tonight's contest. It marks the fifth time this season (fourth in the second half) that San Jose has lost four in a row. The Giants last suffered a five-game losing streak during the 2008 season (July 12-18) when they dropped six straight.

Top Road Record... The Giants are 37-25 away from Municipal Stadium this season - the top road record in the North Division. San Jose has won five out of their last seven road series'.

Frequent Opponent... Beginning tonight, 11 out of San Jose's final 21 regular season games will come against the Visalia Rawhide. After the current four-game series at Recreation Park, the Giants will host the Rawhide for three games from August 24-26 before a four-game series at Municipal Stadium to conclude the regular season (September 3-6). San Jose is 9-6 against Visalia this season. The Rawhide swept a three- game series from the Giants in their most recent meeting (June 28-30 at Recreation Park).

Hitting Success Versus The Rawhide... San Jose is hitting .330 as a team versus the Rawhide this season - their highest batting average against an opponent. Jose Flores (.444, 12-for-27, 7 RBI) and Juan Perez (. 417, 25-for-60, 5 2B, 3 3B, HR, 12 RBI) have been the top individual performers against Visalia.

San Jose Leads Division By Four Games... The Giants (65-54) currently own a four-game lead over the Visalia Rawhide (61-58), a five-game advantage over the Modesto Nuts (60-59) and Stockton Ports (60-59) and a six-game lead over the Bakersfield Blaze (59-60) for the top overall record in the North Division. Home field advantage (hosting Game Five) in the North Division Series will be awarded to the team with the best overall record that's won a half.

Monell, Peguero Continue Stellar Second Half... Catcher Johnny Monell is batting at a .325 clip with 11 home runs and 30 RBI's in the second half after hitting just .220 with five homers before the All-Star break. Outfielder Francisco Peguero leads the club with a .363 second half batting average (.276 in the first half). Peguero, who leads the league and has already set the Giants single-season record with 14 triples, has hit safely in his last eight games (.405).

Stoffel's Saves... Relief pitcher Jason Stoffel has converted his last 10 save opportunities dating back to July 7. In 14 relief appearances during that span, Stoffel possesses a 3.21 ERA with 22 strikeouts in 14 innings. His 22 saves this season are tied for third in the California League and tops in the San Francisco Giants farm system.

Surkamp Update... All-Star starting pitcher Eric Surkamp (hip) has left the team to continue his rehabilitation work in Arizona. Surkamp leads the California League with a 3.11 ERA, but is not expected to return to San Jose this season.

San Jose Wins League Record Sixth Consecutive First Half Title... The San Jose Giants won their California League record sixth consecutive first half North Division title this season. The Giants finished the first half with a 45-25 mark - eight games ahead of both the Modesto Nuts (37-33) and Visalia Rawhide (37-33). By virtue of winning the first half, San Jose secures a berth in the playoffs and will receive a first round bye. The Giants have won three league championships (2005, 2007, 2009) in the last five seasons and will be attempting to win back-to-back titles for the first time in franchise history this September. San Jose will open the playoffs on Saturday, September 11 at Municipal Stadium with Game One of the best-of-five North Division Series. The previous league record for consecutive first half division titles was three (Visalia).

Visalia Rawhide... The Visalia Rawhide, an affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, enter tonight's action with an overall record of 61-58 - one game ahead of the Modesto Nuts (60-59) and Stockton Ports (60-59) for the wild card lead in the North Division. First baseman Paul Goldschmidt leads the league in home runs (32) and is second in RBI's (93).

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California League Stories from August 17, 2010


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