San Jose Giants on Deck: Giants Travel to Stockton for Three-Game Series
Published on July 1, 2011 under California League (CalL1)
San Jose Giants News Release
San Jose Giants (52-25) @ Stockton Ports (46-32)
At Banner Island Ballpark
Friday, July 1, 7:05 PM
Saturday, July 2, 7:05 PM
Sunday, July 3, 6:05 PM
Probable Starting Pitching Matchups
Friday - Kelvin Marte (5-4, 3.43) vs. Rob Gilliam (8-4, 4.74)
Saturday - Craig Westcott (8-1, 3.04) vs. Jacob Brown (1-2, 6.98)
Sunday - Zack Wheeler (6-3, 3.84) vs. Dan Straily (6-5, 3.95)
Giants Begin Three-Game Series At Stockton Tonight...
The two-time defending California League champion San Jose Giants continue their road trip this evening with the opener of a three-game series against the Stockton Ports at Banner Island Ballpark.
San Jose split a four-game set with the host Modesto Nuts in their most recent series.
Modesto claimed the first two games of the series by the scores of 9-4 and 8-4 before the Giants earned wins of 7-2 in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader and 5-2 in last night's contest.
Nick Liles knocked out three hits, Alex Burg doubled twice and Gary Brown drove home two runs to lead San Jose offensively in yesterday's victory.
Starting pitcher David Mixon picked-up the win after limiting the Nuts to a pair of runs in five innings.
The Giants bullpen then combined for four scoreless innings with Mitch Lively (1 2/3 IP, 0 H, 3 SO) recording his third save of the season.
Media Coverage...
Friday's series opener will be televised live on Comcast Hometown Network, Channel 104.
The entire series can also 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.
Slow Start To Second Half...
The Giants began the second half with six consecutive losses before earning victories in their last two games.
The six-game slide was San Jose's longest losing streak of the season surpassing their previous mark of three straight defeats from April 12-14.
During the losing streak, the Giants allowed 45 runs and owned a 7.74 team ERA.
San Jose has surrendered just four runs total over their last two games.
June Review...
San Jose completed June yesterday with a 15-10 record to mark their third consecutive winning month to begin the season (April 15-8, May 22-7).
The month of June saw the Giants win a team-record tying 12 consecutive games and also drop a season-high six straight contests.
Second-Best Record In Minor League Baseball...
The Giants (52-25, .675) possess the second-best record among full-season teams in all of Minor League Baseball - two games behind the Double-A San Antonio Missions of the Texas League (54-23, .701) for the top spot.
Ehire Adrianza Returns...
Shortstop Ehire Adrianza was added to the Giants roster yesterday from Low-A Augusta.
Adrianza, who didn't make his season debut until May 14 due to a hand injury, was batting .231 with 10 doubles, one triple, three home runs and 17 RBI's in 38 games with the GreenJackets.
After struggling to a .175 batting average in May (16 games), Adrianza hit at a .275 clip with Augusta in June (22 games).
Adrianza, a member of San Francisco's 40-man roster, entered the year ranked as the #5 prospect in the Giants organization according to Baseball America.
He spent all of last season with San Jose and batted .256 with three home runs and 35 RBI's in 124 games.
His 33 stolen bases last year were fourth in the California League.
To make room for Adrianza, shortstop Bobby Haney (.244, 0 HR, 3 RBI) was transferred to Augusta.
Burg Continues Hot Hitting...
Catcher/infielder Alex Burg is batting .426 with three home runs and 12 RBI's in 16 games this season.
Burg has multi-hit performances in five out of his last six games and is 10-for-22 (.455) with seven doubles and a home run during that span.
Prior to the June 11 game at Modesto, Burg had received only 14 at-bats all season with the Giants.
Giants Lead Ports By 6 1/2 Games For Top Overall Record...
The Giants (52-25) lead the Stockton Ports (46-32) by 6 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.
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: Stockton Ports...
The Stockton Ports, an affiliate of the Oakland Athletics, enter tonight's contest on a 16-game winning streak - the longest for any team in the California League this season.
Stockton last lost a game on June 11 at Bakersfield.
Before the streak, the Ports had posted just a 7-19 record over their previous 26 games.
Stockton is second in the league with a 4.19 ERA (behind only San Jose's 3.39 ERA) and last in batting average (.260).
The Ports swept a four-game series at San Jose last week, but are still only 5-11 against the Giants this season.
California League Stories from July 1, 2011
- Brandon Belt to Make Rehab Assignment in Stockton - Stockton Ports
- Independence Day Celebration Kicks off Homestand - Lancaster JetHawks
- Giants Sports Foundation Returns to Salinas for RBI Summer Camp - San Jose Giants
- Carpenter Promoted to Big Leagues - Lancaster JetHawks
- Reserved Seating Sold out for July 4 - Lancaster JetHawks
- David Holmberg to Start for Visalia on Sunday - Visalia Rawhide
- San Jose Giants on Deck: Giants Travel to Stockton for Three-Game Series - San Jose Giants
- Giants Earn Split With Modesto After 5-2 Victory - San Jose Giants
- JetHawks Fall In Series Finale - Lancaster JetHawks
- Quakes Win Tenth Straight at Home - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
