CalL1 San Jose Giants

Stolp Pitches Giants Past Stockton

Published on May 28, 2010 under California League (CalL1)
San Jose Giants News Release


Eric Stolp fired eight scoreless innings with only four hits allowed in San Jose's 2-0 shutout victory over the Stockton Ports on Thursday evening at Banner Island Ballpark. The Giants starter recorded 15 groundball outs during his stint on the mound before Jason Stoffel worked a perfect bottom of ninth to seal the win. With the victory, San Jose improves their record to 30-18 and maintains a four-game lead over the Modesto Nuts for the top spot in the first half North Division race.

Stolp (4-3) walked one and struck out one while achieving a career-high in innings pitched. The right-hander began his outing by retiring 10 consecutive Stockton hitters before pitching out of jams in the fourth and eighth innings to keep the Giants ahead.

Charlie Culberson (3-for-3, RBI, SB) led the San Jose offensive attack while Jose Flores (1-for-3, RBI, SB) extended his hitting streak to 14 games. The Giants out-hit the Ports by a 6-4 margin.

San Jose jumped ahead 1-0 in the top of the second inning as Brandon Belt began the run-scoring rally with a leadoff double into the right field corner. After Johnny Monell drew a walk, Culberson stepped to the plate and lined an RBI single into center field to give the Giants the early advantage. Stockton starting pitcher Murphy Smith did recover to set down the next three hitters to limit the damage in the inning.

In the top of the fourth, Culberson reached on a two-out bunt single before stealing second base. Flores then lined a single into left field plating Culberson to make it 2-0.

Stolp was perfect until Grant Green reached on an infield single with one out in the bottom of the fourth. Todd Johnson followed with a single of his own before Stephen Parker was hit by a pitch with two outs to load the bases. Stolp though induced the next hitter, Tyler Ladendorf, to ground out weakly back to the pitcher's mound to strand the three runners.

Beginning with the final out of the fourth, Stolp set down nine consecutive Ports hitters - eight via groundball outs. With two down in the bottom of the seventh, Ladendorf grounded a single up the middle, but was promptly thrown out at second base attempting to steal.

Stockton threatened against Stolp in the bottom of the eighth as Jeremy Barfield drew a leadoff walk and Michael Richard singled to put runners on first and second with one out. However, Shane Keough lined out to shallow center field on a diving catch made by Juan Perez while Barfield was easily doubled off at second on the play to finish the inning.

Stoffel entered the contest to begin the bottom of the ninth and worked a 1-2-3 frame to earn the save. Stoffel, who was credited with his 10th save of the year, struck out Mike Spina to finish the game.

Smith (3-5) suffered the loss for the Ports after surrendering two runs (both earned) on five hits over six innings of work. Smith struck out five and walked one.

Notes: The Giants improved to 5-2 on their season-long nine-game road trip ... Stolp has not allowed a run in 14 2/3 innings this year against Stockton ... He has surrendered only six hits during that span ... The shutout was San Jose's second of the season ... The final game time registered only two hours and three minutes.

On Deck: The Giants and Ports continue their four-game series on Friday evening with first pitch at Banner Island Ballpark scheduled for 7:05 PM. Eric Surkamp (2-1, 2.16 ERA) is slated to start on the mound for San Jose while Stockton is expected to counter with Kenny Smalley (2-4, 5.51 ERA). The game will be televised live on Comcast Hometown Network, Channel 104.

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California League Stories from May 28, 2010


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