CalL1 San Jose Giants

San Jose Giants on Deck: Giants Host Modesto in Final Home Series of First Half

Published on June 10, 2013 under California League (CalL1)
San Jose Giants News Release


Modesto Nuts (30-33) at San Jose Giants (39-24)

At Municipal Stadium

- Monday, June 10, 7:00 PM

- Tuesday, June 11, 7:00 PM

- Wednesday, June 12, 7:00 PM

Probable Starting Pitching Matchups

Monday

Modesto - Dan Winkler (8-2, 2.45)

San Jose - Kelvin Marte (2-2, 3.79)

Tuesday

Modesto - Tyler Gagnon (5-3, 6.19)

San Jose - Edwin Escobar (0-3, 3.62)

Wednesday

Modesto - Chris Jensen (2-4, 3.67)

San Jose - Clayton Blackburn (3-3, 4.30)

Broadcast Information

The entire series can be heard live on sjgiants.com and inside Municipal Stadium on 92.9 FM 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. Additionally, every home game will be streamed live and available on demand through MiLB.TV.

Giants Begin Three-Game Series Against Modesto Tonight

The San Jose Giants continue their homestand this evening with the opener of a three-game series against the Modesto Nuts at Municipal Stadium. San Jose completed a four-game sweep of the visiting Lancaster JetHawks yesterday. The Giants earned victories of 8-3 on Thursday, 8-4 on Friday, 7-0 on Saturday and 5-3 yesterday afternoon to earn the sweep. In the finale, Devin Harris delivered a tiebreaking two-RBI double in the bottom of the seventh inning to propel San Jose to the win. Mac Williamson also contributed a two-run home run in the fourth inning. Luis Rojas (2/3 IP, 0 R) was credited with the win out of the bullpen while Josh Osich pitched a perfect top of the ninth for the save.

First Half Division Race

San Jose (39-24) is four games ahead of the Stockton Ports (35-28) and Visalia Rawhide (35-28) for the top spot in the first half North Division race. There are seven games remaining in the first half. The Giants have won the first half North Division title in seven out of the last eight years. San Jose has also qualified for the playoffs in a league-record tying nine consecutive seasons (2004-2012). The Giants' current four-game advantage is their largest lead in the standings this year. San Jose has been in first place in the division for all but five days this season. The Giants' magic number (combination of San Jose wins and Stockton/Visalia losses) to clinch the division is four.

All-Star Selections

Seven San Jose Giants were named to the California League All-Star team last Friday. Pitchers Ty Blach, Edwin Escobar and Josh Osich, catcher Jeff Arnold and first baseman Angel Villalona will all represent the Giants in the game. Infielder Ryan Cavan and pitcher Hunter Strickland were also selected, but are each currently on the disabled and will not participate. The seven players chosen are the most of any team in the league (Lancaster is next-closest with four). The California-Carolina League All-Star game will be played at Municipal Stadium on Tuesday, June 18 (7:35 PM).

Home Turnaround

The four straight wins over Lancaster marked San Jose's first home series sweep of the season. It was also the Giants' first four-game sweep of the year. San Jose entered the homestand having posted just a 6-12 record in their last 18 games at Municipal Stadium. Prior to the sweep of the JetHawks, the Giants hadn't won a series at home since taking two out of three against Modesto from April 23-25. San Jose is 17-15 at home this season compared to a league-best 22-9 road record.

League-Leading Pitching Staff

The Giants pitching staff has compiled a stellar 3.45 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 10 out of the first 63 games. Individually, Ty Blach is second in the league in ERA (2.70) and tied for third in wins (7) while Clayton Blackburn is fourth in strikeouts (69). As a staff, San Jose is first in the league in shutouts (5 - tied), strikeouts (591) and fewest home runs allowed (37).

Williamson's Offensive Surge

Right fielder Mac Williamson finished 8-for-14 (.571) with two home runs and 10 RBI's during the four-game series against Lancaster. His grand slam last Friday was the second hit by a San Jose player this season (Ryan Cavan) and first at home. Williamson brings an eight-game hitting streak into tonight's contest. He's batting at a .414 clip (12-for-29) with three homers and 12 RBI's during the streak.

Bullpen Standouts

Josh Osich is 7-for-8 in save opportunities this season and owns an overall ERA of 1.19. He's allowed just four earned runs in 30 1/3 innings this year. Bryce Bandilla is first among California League relievers in strikeouts per nine innings (15.1, 57 SO in 34 IP) while Cody Hall has yet to allow an earned run since he was activated off the disabled list on May 4 (14 appearances, 18 1/3 innings).

Full Disabled List

The Giants have nine players currently on the disabled list, including three members of their original six-man starting rotation (Kyle Crick, Adalberto Mejia and Chris Marlowe), their leading hitter (Ryan Cavan) and top relief pitcher (Hunter Strickland).

Opponent Notes: Modesto Nuts

The Modesto Nuts, an affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, are in fourth place in the North Division with a 30-33 record - nine games behind the Giants. Modesto is ninth in the league in batting average (.247) and second in ERA (3.91). The Nuts are 3-6 against San Jose this season.

Check out the San Jose Giants Statistics

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California League Stories from June 10, 2013


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