San Jose Giants on Deck: Giants Continue Homestand Against Bakersfield
July 7, 2011 - California League (CalL1)
San Jose Giants News Release
Bakersfield Blaze (40-44) @ San Jose Giants (55-28)
At Municipal Stadium
Thursday, July 7, 7:00 PM
Friday, July 8, 7:00 PM
Saturday, July 9, 6:00 PM
Sunday, July 10, 5:00 PM
Probable Starting Pitching Matchups
Thursday - Josh Ravin (1-5, 4.66) vs. Kelvin Marte (5-5, 3.38)
Friday - Mark Serrano (2-3, 4.14) vs. Craig Westcott (9-1, 3.21)
Saturday - Curtis Partch (4-9, 5.80) vs. Zack Wheeler (6-4, 4.02)
Sunday - J.C. Sulbaran (5-2, 4.61) vs. Michael Main (1-1, 3.15)
Giants Begin Four-Game Series Against Bakersfield Tonight...
The two-time defending California League champion San Jose Giants continue their homestand this evening with the opening game a four-game series against the Bakersfield Blaze at Municipal Stadium.
San Jose won two out of three from the visiting Modesto Nuts in their most recent series.
After suffering a 12-3 loss to begin the homestand, the Giants earned a 9-5 victory on Tuesday and a 3-2 win last night.
In yesterday's contest, Alex Burg hit a bases loaded sacrifice fly in the bottom of the ninth inning to bring home the winning run.
James Simmons added three hits, including a key two-out game-tying RBI single in the sixth inning.
Chuck Lofgren started on the mound and worked four hitless innings while reliever Ari Ronick picked-up the win after a perfect top of the ninth.
Media Coverage...
The entire series 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 Overcome Slow Second Half Start...
Since a season-high six-game losing streak to begin the second half, the Giants have posted a 5-3 record.
Yesterday's victory gave San Jose their first series win of the second half.
Starting Pitching Struggles...
The Giants had four of their starting pitchers earn California League All-Star honors last month, however the rotation has struggled in the second half.
In 14 games since the All-Star break, San Jose starting pitchers have combined for a 7.71 ERA (56 ER/65.1 IP).
The Giants are off to just a 5-9 start in the second half after setting a team record for first half wins (50-19).
One-Sided Season Series...
San Jose has won nine out of 10 games against the Bakersfield Blaze this season.
The Giants won two out of three at Sam Lynn Ballpark from May 6-8 before sweeping a four-game series in Bakersfield from May 25-28.
The Blaze made their first trip to Municipal Stadium last month (June 13-15) with San Jose claiming all three games.
Gary Brown (.349, 15-for-43, 11 RBI) and Jarrett Parker (.323, 10-for-31, HR, 8 RBI) have been the Giants' top hitters against Bakersfield pitching this season.
Futures Game This Sunday...
Outfielder Gary Brown is scheduled to play in the MLB All-Star Futures Game this Sunday in Phoenix.
The game will be televised live on ESPN2 at 3:00 PM (PDT).
Hot Hitters...
Catcher Tommy Joseph has hit safely in nine straight games and is batting .371 (12-for-35) with three homers and 10 RBI's during the stretch.
Infielder/catcher Alex Burg has hit seven doubles and three home runs over his last 12 games while batting at a .364 (16-for-44) clip.
Gary Brown is 8-for-18 (.444) with three doubles, one triple and one home run over his last four games while Jarrett Parker has homered in two out of his last three games played.
Giants Lead Stockton By 4 1/2 Games For Top Overall Record...
The Giants (55-28) lead the Stockton Ports (51-33) by 4 1/2 games for the top overall record in the North Division.
Home field advantage (hosting Game Five) of the Division Series will be awarded to the team with the best overall record that's won a half.
Cal League Rankings...
The Giants currently lead the California League in ERA (3.48) and are fourth in runs scored (5.8 per game).
San Jose is also tops with 12 shutouts - well ahead of the next-closest team (Modesto - 4).
Individually, the Giants boast three of the nine pitchers in ERA: Craig Westcott (3rd, 3.21), Kelvin Marte (5th, 3.38) and Zack Wheeler (9th, 4.02).
Offensively, Gary Brown is second in hits (110), tied for second in stolen bases (34), third in runs scored (65) and fourth in triples (6).
Seventh Consecutive First Half North Division Title...
The Giants have won their California League record seventh consecutive first half North Division title (2005-2011).
San Jose has posted a 50-19 first half record - 12 1/2 games ahead of the second-place Stockton Ports (38-32).
By virtue of winning the division crown, the Giants clinch a spot in the playoffs and earn a first round bye.
San Jose will open the postseason on Saturday, September 10 with Game One of the best-of-five North Division Series at Municipal Stadium.
The Giants will also host Game Two of the series on Sunday, September 11.
Prior to San Jose's current run, the California League record for consecutive first half division titles was three (Visalia).
Even with the second half of the season beginning last week, the Giants still officially have one game remaining in the first half.
Due to the rainout on June 3, San Jose will play a doubleheader against the Visalia Rawhide on Sunday, July 24 at Municipal Stadium (4:00 PM start).
The second game of the doubleheader will count towards the first half standings.
Opponent Notes: Bakersfield Blaze...
The Bakersfield Blaze, an affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, enter tonight's contest having lost eight out of their last 10 games.
Bakersfield (40-44) is currently tied with the Modesto Nuts (40-44) for the wild card lead in the North Division.
The Blaze are second in the league in batting average (.288) and sixth in ERA (5.04).
Josh Ravin (1-5, 4.66 ERA) is slated to make the start on the mound this evening.
California League Stories from July 7, 2011
- Dodgers Catcher Rod Barajas to Play Against JetHawks this Weekend - Lancaster JetHawks
- San Jose Giants on Deck: Giants Continue Homestand Against Bakersfield - San Jose Giants
- Rawhide Featured in Carl's Jr. Flash Mob - Visalia Rawhide
- News and Happenings for the Stockton Ports - Stockton Ports
- Ninth-Inning Run Propels Giants To Series Win - San Jose Giants
- Storm Take Two of Three with 12-9 Win - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- JetHawks Edge Bakersfield 7-6 - Lancaster JetHawks
- Blaze come up a buck shy - Bakersfield Blaze
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