San Jose Giants on Deck: Giants Begin Second Half with Four-Game Series in Stockton
June 20, 2013 - California League (CalL1)
San Jose Giants News Release
San Jose Giants (43-27) at Stockton Ports (38-32)
At Banner Island Ballpark
- Thursday, June 20, 7:05 PM
- Friday, June 21, 7:05 PM
- Saturday, June 22, 7:05 PM
- Sunday, June 23, 2:09 PM
Probable Starting Pitching Matchups
Thursday
San Jose - Eric Surkamp (0-0, 4.91)
Stockton - James Simmons (4-1, 2.57)
Friday
San Jose - Edwin Escobar (1-3, 3.23)
Stockton - Shaeffer Hall (1-1, 6.16)
Saturday
San Jose - Kyle Crick (0-1, 0.93)
Stockton - Tanner Peters (7-4, 4.37)
Sunday
San Jose - Adalberto Mejia (2-1, 4.07)
Stockton - Raul Alcantara (0-0, 0.00)
Broadcast Information
The entire series can be heard live on sjgiants.com with Joe Ritzo calling all of the action. Radio broadcasts begin 30 minutes prior to first pitch with The Giants Pregame Show. All 140 games this season will be aired on the club's official website and through the San Jose Giants Mobile App.
Giants Begin Second Half With Four-Game Series At Stockton
The San Jose Giants begin the second half this evening with the opener of a four-game series against the Stockton Ports at Banner Island Ballpark. The Giants have posted a 5-5 record versus Stockton this season and will play eight out of their first 11 games of the second half against the Ports. San Jose concluded the first half last Sunday before the three-day All-Star break. In their final series before the break, the Giants split a four-game set in Visalia. San Jose won eight out of their last 11 games of the first half.
All-Star Game Review
The San Jose Giants hosted the California-Carolina League All-Star Game last Tuesday at Municipal Stadium. The Carolina League won by a 12-2 score setting All-Star game records for most runs scored and largest margin of victory. Eight San Jose players were selected to the game - the most of any team in either league. Angel Villalona (2-for-4, 1B, 2B) and Devin Harris (0-for-3, BB) started at DH and in left field respectively for the California League. Jeff Arnold (1-for-1, 1B, BB) came off the bench while Ty Blach (1 IP, 1 R, 1 SO), Edwin Escobar (1 IP, 5 R, 1 SO) and Josh Osich (1/3 IP, 0 R) all pitched in relief. Infielder Ryan Cavan and pitcher Hunter Strickland were also on the All-Star roster, but did not participate in the game due to injury. A sellout crowd of 5,007 attended the event - the first time that the San Jose Giants hosted the California-Carolina League All-Star game.
First Half North Division Champions
San Jose finished the first half with a league-best 43-27 record - four games ahead of the Visalia Rawhide (39-31) for the top spot in the North Division. It marked the eighth time in the last nine years that the Giants won the first half North Division title (2005-2011, 2013). San Jose has also set a California League record by reaching the playoffs in 10 consecutive seasons (2004-2013). The previous record was held by the Stockton Ports (nine straight years, 1985-1993). The Giants were in first place in the division for all but five days during the first half this season.
League-Leading Pitching Staff
The Giants pitching staff has compiled a stellar 3.50 ERA this season to lead the California League. San Jose starting pitchers have been particularly impressive this year having allowed more than three earned runs in just 11 out of the first 70 games. Individually, Ty Blach is second in the league in ERA (2.64) and tied for third in wins (7), Clayton Blackburn is tied for third in strikeouts (76) while Josh Osich is tied for sixth in saves (9). As a staff, San Jose is first in the league in shutouts (5 - tied), strikeouts (661) and fewest home runs allowed (45).
Power Hitters
Outfielder Devin Harris (16) and first baseman Angel Villalona (14) rank tied for second and tied for fifth in the league respectively in home runs. Harris, who has hit three homers and has eight RBI's over his last three games, is more than halfway to the San Jose Giants single-season home run record set last year by Adam Duvall (30).
Road Success
The Giants are a league-best 24-11 on the road this season. San Jose has lost only one road series all year. The Giants pitching staff has posted a 2.96 ERA away from Municipal Stadium this season.
Crick, Mejia Set To Return
Pitchers Kyle Crick and Adalberto Mejia have both returned to the Giants and are scheduled to start on Saturday and Sunday respectively in this series. Crick, rated the #1 prospect in the organization according to Baseball America, last pitched on April 18 while Mejia's last appeared in a game on May 4.
Playoff Schedule
By virtue of winning the first half crown, the Giants have received a first round bye in the playoffs. San Jose will open the postseason on Saturday, September 7 at Municipal Stadium with Game One of the best-of-five North Division Series. The Giants will play the winner of the North Mini-Series. Games One and Two of the series will be played in San Jose while Games Three and Four will be hosted by the Mini-Series winner. Home field advantage in Game Five will be awarded to the club with the best overall record that's won a half. The Giants have won four California League championships (2005, 2007, 2009, 2010) in the last eight years.
Opponent Notes: Stockton Ports
The Stockton Ports, an affiliate of the Oakland Athletics, finished the first half with a 38-32 record - five games behind the Giants. Stockton is tied for ninth in the league in batting average (.245), first in home runs (97) and tied for fourth in ERA (4.62).
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