San Jose Giants on Deck: Giants Host Modesto to Conclude First Half
Published on June 14, 2012 under California League (CalL1)
San Jose Giants News Release
Modesto Nuts (33-34) at San Jose Giants (36-31)
At Municipal Stadium Thursday, June 14, 7:00 PM Friday, June 15, 7:00 PM Saturday, June 16, 5:00 PM
Probable Starting Pitching Matchups Thursday - Tyler Matzek (4-3, 2.87) vs. Danny Sandbrink (2-0, 3.00) Friday - Craig Bennigson (0-1, 5.57) vs. Ryan Bradley (3-3, 3.76) Saturday - Christian Bergman (8-4, 3.08) vs. Shawn Sanford (4-4, 4.99)
Giants Begin Three-Game Series Against Modesto Tonight... The San Jose Giants return home this evening to begin their final series of the first half with the opener of a three-game set against the Modesto Nuts at Municipal Stadium. San Jose won two out of three games from the host Inland Empire 66ers in their most recent series. After the 66ers won a 12-8 decision last Monday, the Giants earned victories of 14-2 on Tuesday and 7-1 last night. In yesterday's contest, Justin Schumer tossed a career-high eight innings with just one run and four hits allowed to pick-up the win. Schumer walked one and struck out four. Ydwin Villegas led the offensive attack with three hits, including a double, and three RBI's. Ryan Lollis added two singles while Andrew Susac hit a key two-run double.
Media Coverage... The entire series can be heard live on sjgiants.com and inside Municipal Stadium at 92.9 FM with Joe Ritzo calling all of the action. Additionally, every home game this season will be streamed live and available on demand through MiLB.TV.
San Jose Trails Bakersfield By Three Games With Three To Play... San Jose (36-31) enters this evening's contest trailing the Bakersfield Blaze (39-28) by three games for the top spot in the first half North Division race. Including tonight, the Giants have three games remaining in the first half. San Jose has won a California League record seven consecutive first half North Division titles (2005-2011). First half division winners clinch a playoff berth and a first round bye. After sweeping the Blaze in a series that ended on May 26, the Giants owned a season-high 5 1/2 game lead in the standings. San Jose has gone just 4-14 since.
First Back-To-Back Wins This Month... With victories the last two nights at Inland Empire, the Giants secured back-to-back wins for the first time since they claimed three straight games from May 24-26. San Jose also earned their first series win since the same three days when they swept Bakersfield. The Giants had lost their last five series'.
One-Run Success... The Giants have posted an outstanding 14-6 record (. 700) in one-run games this season - the top mark in the California League.
Oropesa Tied For League-Lead In RBI's... First baseman Ricky Oropesa is currently tied for first in the California League with 53 RBI's this season. In his last eight games, Oropesa is 12-for-34 (.353) with three home runs and 12 RBI's. Oropesa became the first San Jose player this season to hit more than one home run in a game when he connected for a pair of round-trippers on June 6 at Lancaster. He's collected 39 RBI's over his last 35 games dating back to May 7. Oropesa is in his debut professional season after he was drafted in the third round last year out of USC.
Giants-Nuts Season Series... The Giants own a 7-3 record against the Modesto Nuts this season. San Jose won two out of three games from the Nuts in Modesto's only previous visit to Municipal Stadium (May 14-16). The Giants are also 5-2 in games played at John Thurman Field. Individually, Ricky Oropesa (.297, 11-for-37, HR, 10 RBI) and Ryan Lollis (.297, 11-for-37, 9 RBI) have been San Jose's top hitters against the Nuts.
Danny Sandbrink Makes His Third Start This Season... Danny Sandbrink is slated to make his third start of the season in tonight's game against the Nuts. In nine appearances (two starts) with the Giants this year, Sandbrink is 2-0 with a 3.00 ERA (8 ER/24.0 IP). Sandbrink made his first start of the year on June 4 at Stockton and tossed four innings with three runs (all earned) and seven hits allowed. His second start came on June 9 versus the Ports at Municipal Stadium. Sandbrink struck out a career-high 10 batters over five innings during the start. He surrendered three runs (all earned) and two hits. The 10 strikeouts are the most by a Giants pitcher this season. Sandbrink did not received a decision in either of his previous starts. Sandbrink is in his second professional season after he was drafted in the 42nd round last year out of Stanford University.
Pitching Struggles... In 13 games this month, the Giants own a 6.22 team ERA - ninth in the California League. At the start of their season- long nine-game road trip on May 17, San Jose was leading the California League in ERA at 3.42. Entering tonight's game, the Giants are sixth in the league with a 4.46 ERA.
Panik Heats Up... Shortstop Joe Panik is 11-for-25 (.440) with two doubles and a home run over the last six games. Prior to the current hot streak, Panik was hitless in his last 21 at-bats. The former first round draft pick is batting .258 this season with two home runs and 28 RBI's. His 17 doubles lead the team and are tied for ninth in the league.
Opponent Notes: Modesto Nuts... The Modesto Nuts, an affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, enter tonight's action in third place in the North Division with a 33-34 record - six games out of the top spot. Modesto is third in the California League in batting average (.267), third in runs scored (5.3 per game) and fifth in ERA (4.37). Left-hander Tyler Matzek is slated to make the start on the mound tonight. A 2009 first round draft pick, Matzek is fourth in the league in ERA (2.87) and third in strikeouts (75). He took a no-hitter into the seventh inning of his last start (June 9 vs. Bakersfield).
California League Stories from June 14, 2012
- First-Place Quakes Teaming up with Smile Generation - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- San Jose Giants on Deck: Giants Host Modesto to Conclude First Half - San Jose Giants
- Storm Fall Back One, Travel to Face Bakersfield - Lake Elsinore Storm
- Joc Knocks JetHawks to Back of Title Race - Lancaster JetHawks
- Giants Cruise Past 66ers to Take Series - San Jose Giants
- Bakersfield Blows 6-Run Lead, Misses Chance to Clinch - Bakersfield Blaze
- Quakes Back Alone in First - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- 66ers Downed 7-1 in Final 1st Half Home Game - Inland Empire 66ers
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