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SJ Giants Closer Brian Anderson breaks the Cal League Record with 35th Save

August 19, 2006 - California League (CalL1)
San Jose Giants News Release


SAN JOSE, CALIF August 18, 2006 - The San Jose Giants manufactured just enough runs to make Brian Anderson's California League record 35th save possible Friday night, defeating the Modesto Nuts 3-2 at San Jose Municipal Stadium.

The Giants (30-23, Northern Division, 2nd half) scored twice in the game without benefit of a hit. They tallied first in the bottom of the first, when leadoff hitter Alex Requena was hit by a pitch. He then stole second, advanced to third on a passed ball, and scored on John Bowker's ground out.

The Nuts tied things in the 3rd. Luke Sargent led off the frame with a double to right field. Speedy Corey Wimberly followed with a slow roller back to the mound. Giants starter Darren Sack fielded the ball cleanly, but slipped planting his right foot to make the throw, which careened off the tarp and down the right field line, allowing Sargent to score.

The Giants got only two hits off Modesto starter Franklin Morales, but made them count, pairing them in a 3rd inning rally. Requena led off the inning with a clean single to center, stole yet another base, his 17th in 21 tries, and scored on a double by Marc Minicozzi.

Another pitcher's foot-fault would lead to Modesto's tying run in the 6th. Chris Frey led off with a single to right off reliever Nathan Pendley. Attempting to sacrifice, Jonathan Herrera laid down a bunt back to the mound. Pendley's off-balance throw sailed wide of first, allowing Frey to reach third. Two batters later, a Doc Brooks sacrifice fly scored Frey with the leveler.

Morales handcuffed the Giants over 7 innings of work, allowing just the two hits and striking out 16. Twice he struck out the side.

The resourceful Giants cobbled together the winning run in the 8th, again without a hit, off reliever Adam Bright. That pesky Requena ignited things again with a leadoff walk. After a successful sacrifice bunt by Pat Dobson, Requena advanced to third on a ground ball out and scored on a wild pitch to give the Giants the lead.

That set the stage for Anderson's run at California League history. The right-hander retired Justin Nelson on strikes to begin the ninth. Brooks was retired on a foul pop to third for the second out. Michael Davies then was called out on strikes as Anderson shut the door for the 35th time in 36 tries. Anderson's 35th save breaks the record previously shared by Rafael Chaves (High Desert, 1992) and Bill Everly (San Bernardino, 1999).

The Giants win keeps the San Jose club within 1 ½ games of Visalia in the Northern Division's second half race.

The series shifts to Modesto's John Thurman Field for middle game of the three-game series Saturday night at 7:05. San Jose will send Gregorio Martinez (8-6, 3.53) to the hill to face Modesto's Samuel Deduno (5-7, 3.97). The series returns to San Jose Municipal Stadium Sunday afternoon for a 1:00 contest. The Principal Financial Group Family Fun Fest begins the proceedings at 10am. Sunday is also Comerica San Jose Giants pennant day, with pennants for the first 2,000 fans through the gates. Sunday is also another Alliance Credit Union Kids Eat Free Sunday in cooperation with the San Jose Mercury News, and following the game kids can run the bases, sponsored by Arrowhead Mountain Spring Water.

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