CalL1 San Jose Giants

San Jose Giants on Deck: Season-Long Road Trip Concludes with Series at High Desert

Published on May 22, 2013 under California League (CalL1)
San Jose Giants News Release


San Jose Giants (30-15) at High Desert Mavericks (21-24)

At Mavericks Stadium

- Wednesday, May 22, 7:05 PM

- Thursday, May 23, 7:05 PM

- Friday, May 24, 7:05 PM

- Saturday, May 25, 6:05 PM

Probable Starting Pitching Matchups

Wednesday

San Jose - Jason Forjet (0-0, 0.00)

High Desert - Bobby Shore (2-1, 4.66)

Thursday

San Jose - Kelvin Marte (1-0, 2.84)

High Desert - Trevor Miller (1-4, 6.59)

Friday

San Jose - Edwin Escobar (0-2, 3.53)

High Desert - Jordan Pries (3-3, 5.93)

Saturday

San Jose - Clayton Blackburn (2-2, 4.39)

High Desert - Stephen Landazuri (1-1, 3.86)

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 streamed through the San Jose Giants Mobile App.

Giants Begin Four-Game Series At High Desert Tonight

The San Jose Giants continue their road trip with the opener of a four-game series against the High Desert Mavericks this evening at Mavericks Stadium. San Jose won two out of three games from the host Inland Empire 66ers in their most recent series. After the 66ers posted a 3-1 victory in the series opener last Sunday, the Giants secured a 5-1 win on Monday before an 8-0 shutout of Inland Empire in the rubber game last night. Ty Blach struck out 11 and allowed just three singles over eight scoreless innings to pick-up the win yesterday. Chris Lofton (3-for-4, 3B), Mac Williamson (2-for-5) and Jeff Arnold (1-for-4, HR, 2 RBI) led the San Jose offensive attack. Every Giants starter finished the game with at least one hit.

Long Road Trip

San Jose is in the midst of a season-long 11-game road trip - all against South Division opponents. The Giants enter tonight's action with a 5-2 record on the road trip. The trip began with San Jose claiming three out of four games in Rancho Cucamonga before taking two out of three from Inland Empire. The Giants have won seven straight road series' to begin the year and are 19-5 away from Municipal Stadium this season.

League-Leading Pitching Staff

The Giants pitching staff has posted a stellar 3.15 ERA this season to lead the California League. San Jose starting pitchers have been particularly impressive allowing two earned runs or fewer in 34 out of the first 45 games this season. The Giants boast the top two individual ERA's in the league with Ty Blach (#1, 1.89) and Chris Marlowe (#2, 1.95). Blach is also tied for first in the league in wins (6). Out of the bullpen, Hunter Strickland ranks fourth with eight saves. As a staff, San Jose is also first in the league in strikeouts (436) and fewest home runs allowed (23).

San Jose Leads North Division By Two Games

San Jose (30-15) is two games ahead of the Visalia Rawhide (28-17) for the top spot in the first half North Division race. 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 have won 11 out of their last 15 games. Including tonight, San Jose has 25 games remaining in the first half.

Power Hitters

Three of the top nine home run hitters in the California League reside in the Giants lineup. Outfielder/DH Devin Harris is tied for second in the league in homers (10), while first baseman Angel Villalona is tied for seventh (8) and catcher Jeff Arnold is tied for ninth (7). San Jose's 39 total home runs this season are tied for fifth in the league.

Brock Bond Returns

Infielder Brock Bond joined the Giants last Friday from the Fresno (AAA) disabled list. Bond is recovering from a strained oblique sustained during spring training. Bond hit .332 with one home run and 31 RBI's in 106 games with Fresno last season. His .422 on-base percentage was third in the Pacific Coast League. The former 24th round draft pick previously played for San Jose in 2008 when he batted .297 with no homers and 19 RBI's in 45 games. Bond is 6-for-21 (.286) with two doubles, a triple and two RBI's in his first five games this season with the Giants.

Forjet To Make Spot-Start

Jason Forjet is slated to make the start on the mound in tonight's series opener. Forjet, who was added to the roster from Extended Spring Training yesterday, is making the spot-start in place of the injured Chris Marlowe (shoulder fatigue). Forjet, a 31st round draft pick in 2012, was 0-0 with a 1.93 ERA in seven appearances (one start) with the AZL-Giants (Rookie) last season.

Bullpen Excellence

Relief pitchers Hunter Strickland (eight) and Josh Osich (four) have combined to go 12-for-12 in save opportunities this season. Strickland (11 appearances, 12 innings), Osich (11 appearances, 11 2/3 innings) and Cody Hall (7 appearances, 9 2/3 innings) all currently have long scoreless innings streaks.

Opponent Notes: High Desert Mavericks

The High Desert Mavericks, an affiliate of the Seattle Mariners, are in fourth place in the South Division with a 21-24 record - 4 1/2 games out of the top spot. High Desert is first in the league in batting average (.282), second in home runs (47) and last in ERA (5.42). The Giants and Mavericks split a four-game series in San Jose earlier this season (May 10-13).

Check out the San Jose Giants Statistics

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