CalL1 San Jose Giants

Stellar Pitching Leads Giants To 2-1 Victory Over Nuts

Published on April 17, 2007 under California League (CalL1)
San Jose Giants News Release


Dave McKae and Taylor Wilding combined on a six-hitter Tuesday night as the San Jose Giants edged the Modesto Nuts 2-1 in the opener of a three-game series at Municipal Stadium. In front of 1,810 fans on a cool and windy evening, the Giants scored single runs in the sixth and seventh innings to build their lead before holding off a ninth-inning Modesto rally to post the victory. With the win, San Jose improves to 9-3 on the season.

McKae notched his first win of the year with 6 2/3 dominant innings on the mound. McKae allowed five hits with no walks and eight strikeouts as his season ERA fell to 1.62.

The Giants took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the sixth inning when Barry Gunther led off with a walk, moved to second on Emmanuel Burriss' sacrifice bunt, and scored on Antoan Richardson's one-out, line drive single to center field.

In the seventh, David Maroul connected for a two-out, solo home run to left field for a 2-0 advantage. It was San Jose's first home run at Municipal Stadium this season.

The 25-year old McKae pitched out of trouble in the first two innings to keep the Nuts off the scoreboard. In the first, Dexter Fowler led off with a single and was standing at third base with one out after a sacrifice bunt and a wild pitch. But McKae responded with a strikeout of Chris Nelson before Jose Valdez grounded out.

In the second, Daniel Carte led off with a single before Cole Garner's one-out single put runners on first and second. But McKae induced Kyle Blumenthal to ground into a double play back to the mound retiring the side.

At one point during the game, McKae set down 12 of 13 Modesto hitters with the only blemish coming in the top of the sixth inning when Fowler reached on an error. In the seventh, Jeff Kindel singled with two outs prompting a pitching change. And with Wilding on the mound, Kindel was thrown at second base attempting to steal ending the inning.

Wilding struck out the side in the eighth inning before Modesto rallied in the top of the ninth. Fowler led off with a walk and eventually scored when Valdez singled to right field with two outs. But Wilding responded by striking out Carte on three pitches to finish the game.

Wilding, who struck out five batters in 2 1/3 innings, was credited with his first save of the season.

The Giants mustered only three hits at the plate against a pair of Modesto hurlers: a Mike Mooney second-inning single, Richardson's sixth-inning RBI single, and Maroul's seventh-inning home run.

Notes: McKae and Wilding combined to strikeout 13 Modesto hitters compared to just one walk ... Wilding allowed his first run of the season, but still owns a spectacular 0.75 ERA (1 ER/12.0 IP) in four relief appearances ... The home run from Maroul was his first of the season and San Jose's first since April 8 (eight games) ... Richardson stole two bases giving him a team-best seven on the year ... Modesto's Alan Johnson (7 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 SO) was a hard-luck loser to fall to 1-1 ... The final game time clocked in at a speedy two hours even - the fastest nine-inning game for the Giants this season.

On Deck: The Giants and Nuts will play the second game of this three-game series Wednesday evening at Municipal Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 P.M. Paul Oseguera (0-0, 2.61 ERA) is slated to start on the mound for San Jose while Modesto is expected to counter with 2005 first round draft pick Chaz Roe (0-1, 2.61 ERA). Tickets can be purchased by calling (408)297-1435 or by visiting www.sjgiants.com.

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California League Stories from April 17, 2007


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