Storm Control Giants in Series Finale, 6-2
Published on July 1, 2012 under California League (CalL1)
San Jose Giants News Release
SAN JOSE - The Lake Elsinore Storm scored three runs on five consecutive singles to start the game and never looked back in a 6-2 victory over the San Jose Giants on Saturday evening at Municipal Stadium. In the rubber game of a three-game series, Lake Elsinore knocked out 15 hits and never trailed en route to the win.
Joe Panik (3-for-5, 2B) had three hits while Luke Anders (1-for-3, 2B, 2 RBI) drove home both of San Jose's runs to lead the Giants offensively.
Josh Osich started on the mound for San Jose and initially struggled yielding three straight singles to Rico Noel, Casey McElroy and Justin Miller to begin the game as the Storm loaded the bases with none out. Tommy Medica then lined a single into left center field to score both Noel and McElroy before Vince Belnome's bloop single to shallow left plated Miller to make it 3-0 before an out was recorded. Osich did settle down inducing the next hitter, Rocky Gale, to bounce into a double play before Everett Williams lined out to shortstop to end the inning.
The Giants didn't muster a hit over the first three innings against Lake Elsinore starter Matt Branham before breaking through in the bottom of the fourth. With one out, Ricky Oropesa clubbed a triple off the fence in deep center field before Alex Burg drew a walk. Branham struck out Andrew Susac, but then Anders stepped to the plate and hit a sharp grounder down the right field line for a double as Oropesa and Burg both scored to cut the Storm lead to 3-2. Anders was thrown out at third on the play as he attempted to stretch the hit into a triple.
Shawn Sanford relieved Osich to begin the top of the third and fired two scoreless innings to begin his outing before struggling in the fifth. With the Lake Elsinore lead trimmed to a single run, Michael Wing and Miller started the inning with back-to-back singles. Medica then blasted a double into the right center field gap to score both runners and push the advantage to 5-2. Then after Belnome singled, Gale bounced into a fielder's choice as Medica scored to make it 6-2.
Branham tossed the first four innings for the Storm before four Lake Elsinore relievers combined to fire five scoreless innings to finish the game. San Jose threatened in each frame against the bullpen as Carter Jurica drew a leadoff walk in the fifth before Panik singled with two outs, however Ryan Lollis bounced into a fielder's choice to end the inning. In the bottom of the sixth, Oropesa led off with a single before Burg walked to put runners on first and second, but the next three batters were retired. Panik doubled with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, but was left in scoring position as Lollis struck out swinging.
In the eighth, consecutive hit by pitches of Susac and Anders put two runners on, however Jurica flied out to end the threat. Then in the bottom of the ninth, Panik singled with two outs, however Lollis grounded out to end the game. The Giants left eight runners on base over the last five innings.
Storm reliever Chris Franklin (3-1) was credited with the win after tossing a scoreless bottom of the fifth inning.
Osich (0-1), who was making his first start of the season after 14 relief appearances, suffered the loss. The left-hander worked the first two innings with three runs (all earned) and six hits allowed. He did not register or strikeout or walk a batter.
Sanford fired the last seven innings for San Jose in the longest relief stint of the year for a Giants pitcher. Sanford scattered nine hits and allowed three runs (all earned) with two walks and six strikeouts during his outing. After yielding three runs in the top of the fifth, Sanford did not surrender another run for the remainder of the game.
Notes: Lake Elsinore out-hit San Jose by a 15-6 margin ... The Giants were 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position and left 10 on base ... San Jose finished their six-game homestand with a 2-4 record ... Anders extended his hitting streak to eight games ... Jurica (knee) was activated from the disabled list before the game ... The Giants finished June with a 10-16 record - their first losing month of the season (14-11 April, 18-11 May).
On Deck: The Giants return to action on Sunday evening with the opener of a three-game series at Stockton. First pitch at Banner Island Ballpark is scheduled for 6:05 PM. Taylor Rogers (5-6, 4.24 ERA) is slated to start on the mound for San Jose while the Ports are expected to counter with Josh Bowman (2-6, 3.96 ERA). The game can be heard live on sjgiants.com with coverage beginning at 5:35 PM.
California League Stories from July 1, 2012
- Pederson Launches Three Bombs in Quakes Route of Mavs - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Wade Miley Selected to NL All-Star Team - Visalia Rawhide
- Elsinore Errors Are Blaze Opportunities, Blaze Beat Storm 4-2 - Bakersfield Blaze
- San Jose Giants on Deck: Giants Open July with Three-Game Series at Stockton - San Jose Giants
- Storm Control Giants in Series Finale, 6-2 - San Jose Giants
- Nuts Relentless, Blaze Drop Homestand Finale 11-5 - Bakersfield Blaze
- Quakes' Rally Falls Short in Lancaster - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Inland Empire Snaps Slide with 9-5 Win - Inland Empire 66ers
- Hogue Extends Streak, Sparks Offense - Lancaster JetHawks
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