San Jose Giants on Deck: Six-Game Homestand Begins Tonight against Stockton
Published on June 25, 2012 under California League (CalL1)
San Jose Giants News Release
Stockton Ports (28-46) at San Jose Giants (40-34)
At Municipal Stadium Monday, June 25, 7:00 PM Tuesday, June 26, 7:00 PM Wednesday, June 27, 7:00 PM
Probable Starting Pitching Matchups Monday - Josh Bowman (1-6, 4.35) vs. Shawn Sanford (5-4, 4.72) Tuesday - Blake Treinen (6-5, 4.38) vs. Taylor Rogers (4-6, 4.38) Wednesday - Sean Murphy (3-2, 3.05) vs. Jack Snodgrass (7-2, 3.47)
Giants Begin Three-Game Series Against Stockton Tonight... The San Jose Giants begin a six-game homestand this evening with the first of three straight contests against the Stockton Ports at Municipal Stadium. San Jose opened the second half by splitting a four-game series at Visalia. The Giants earned victories of 11-1 and 7-2 on Thursday and Friday respectively before the Rawhide bounced back with wins of 5-3 and 6-5 on Saturday and Sunday. In yesterday's series finale, Visalia scored twice in bottom of the eighth inning to overcome a one-run deficit and pick-up the victory. San Jose reliever Hector Correa issued a bases loaded walk to allow the tying run to score before a sacrifice fly put the Rawhide in front. Ryan Lollis (3-for-4, 2B, HR, 2 RBI) had three hits, including a home run, to lead the Giants offensively. Joe Panik added two singles and three runs scored.
Media Coverage... All three games in the series will be televised live on Comcast Hometown Network, Channel 104. Joe Ritzo will handle the play-by-play with Dan Dibley providing color commentary for the first two games and Rocky Koplik during the series finale. The entire series can also be heard live on sjgiants.com and inside Municipal Stadium at 92.9 FM.
Home Cooking... Tonight marks the beginning of a stretch where the Giants will play 12 out of 15 games at Municipal Stadium. After the current series against the Ports, San Jose will host Lake Elsinore for three games in the first meeting of the season between the clubs. The Giants then travel to Stockton for three games before opening another six-game homestand on July 4. San Jose owns a 22-13 home record this year - tops in the North Division and second-best in the California League (Lake Elsinore).
Power Surge... San Jose hit seven home runs during their recently- completed four-game series at Visalia, including two each from Joe Panik and Ryan Lollis. Both Panik and Lollis entered the series with only two home runs for the entire season. Lollis enters tonight's contest having homered in consecutive games.
Oropesa Tied For Second In The League In RBI's... First baseman Ricky Oropesa is currently tied for second in the California League with 56 RBI's - eight off the lead. Oropesa has collected 42 RBI's over his last 42 games dating back to May 7 while he's also batting .337 with runners in scoring position this year. Oropesa is in his debut professional season after he was drafted in the third round last year out of USC.
Record-Setting First Half Championship Streak Ends... San Jose concluded the first half with a 38-32 record and in second place in the North Division. It marked the first time since 2004 that the Giants didn't win the first half North Division crown. San Jose finished three games behind the Bakersfield Blaze (41-29) for the top spot. The Giants had won a California League record seven straight first half North Division titles (2005-2011). The previous league record for consecutive first half championships was three (Visalia Oaks, 1981-83). After sweeping Bakersfield in a series that ended on May 26, San Jose owned a 5 1/2 game lead in the standings over the Blaze with 21 games remaining. However, the Giants went just 6-15 to finish the half, including a 10-game losing streak from May 27-June 5. San Jose now needs to win either the second half North Division title or secure the wild card to extend their streak of consecutive playoff appearances to nine seasons (2004-2011).
One-Run Success... Despite yesterday's 6-5 loss to Visalia, the Giants possess an outstanding 16-7 record in one-run games this season. San Jose has the most one-run victories and highest winning percentage (. 696) in one-run games of any team in the California League.
Panik's Hot Hitting... Shortstop Joe Panik is batting at a .415 clip (22- for-53) with two doubles, a triple, three home runs and 12 RBI's over his last 13 games. The former first round draft pick is batting .271 this season with four home runs and 38 RBI's. His 17 doubles are tied for the team lead. Last year, Panik was the Northwest League Most Valuable Player with the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes (Short-Season).
Offensive Improvement... San Jose is batting .289 as a team and averaging 5.7 runs per game during the month of June. The Giants hit just .251 in April (4.6 runs/gm) and .258 in May (5.1 runs/gm). However, San Jose is just 8-12 this month after posting winning records in April (14-11) and May (18-11). The Giants' team ERA in June is 5.38 (3.70 in April, 4.31 in May).
Opponent Notes: Stockton Ports... The Stockton Ports, an affiliate of the Oakland Athletics, were swept in a four-game series at Modesto to open the second half. Stockton owns a league-worst 28-46 overall record. The Ports are last in the California League in batting average (.259) and third in ERA (4.16). Stockton is 6-6 against the Giants this season, but has won six out of the last seven games played between the teams. Right-hander Josh Bowman (1-6, 4.35 ERA) is slated to make the start on the mound tonight.
California League Stories from June 25, 2012
- Blaze Drop Close One in Extras, 5-4 - Bakersfield Blaze
- California League Pitcher of the Week Returns to 66ers - Inland Empire 66ers
- San Jose Giants on Deck: Six-Game Homestand Begins Tonight against Stockton - San Jose Giants
- First Half Champ Crowned Tonight - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- JetHawks Drop 14-Inning Battle - Lancaster JetHawks
- The Storm Walking... Walking-Off That Is - Lake Elsinore Storm
- Bako Scores Nine in the Ninth in 14-9 Victory - Bakersfield Blaze
- 66ers Dominate High Desert with a Dozen Run Day - Inland Empire 66ers
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