CalL1 San Jose Giants

Tanner Terrific In San Jose's 4-1 Victory Over Oaks

Published on August 12, 2008 under California League (CalL1)
San Jose Giants News Release


Clayton Tanner took a no-hitter into the sixth inning and Matt Downs drove home three runs as the San Jose Giants defeated the Visalia Oaks 4-1 in their return home on Monday night at Municipal Stadium. Tanner limited the Oaks to just one hit over 6 2/3 innings before Juan Trinidad pitched out of a key bases loaded jam in the top of the seventh. With the victory, the Giants improve their second half record to 30-20 and now lead the Modesto Nuts (27-22) by 2 1/2 games in the North Division race.

Tanner (8-7) retired the first nine batters he faced before issuing a leadoff walk in the top of the fourth inning. Tanner faced the minimum number of Visalia hitters until Konrad Schmidt grounded a sharp single into left field with two outs in the top of the sixth. Tanner walked two and struck out six during his 82-pitch performance.

Downs (2-for-3, 2B, 3 RBI, 2 SB) drove home three of San Jose's four runs while Brad Boyer (3-for-4, 2B, 3B) finished a home run shy of the cycle to lead the 10-hit Giants offensive attack. Bobby Felmy (2-for-4, SB) and Jackson Williams (2-for-4, 2B) also contributed multiple-hit games for San Jose.

The game was scoreless until the Giants struck for a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth inning against Visalia starting pitcher Barry Enright. With one out, three consecutive singles from Williams, Mike McBryde and Boyer loaded the bases. Downs then stepped to the plate and lined a 1-0 pitch from Enright down the left field line for a double as both Williams and McBryde scored. San Jose would load the bases again after Andy D'Alessio was intentionally walked, but Enright got out of the inning without further damage as Brett Pill popped out and Felmy lined out to right.

The Oaks threatened in the top of the seventh inning against Tanner after Mark Hallberg and Pete Clifford were both hit by pitches with one out to put runners on first and second. After Ed Easley flied out, Mike Mee drew a walk to load the bases and force a pitching change. Trinidad was summoned from the bullpen and he struck out Ricardo Sosa on a 3-2 slider to strand three baserunners and keep the Giants ahead by a 2-0 margin.

In the bottom of the seventh, Boyer led off with a triple off the top of the fence in deep right center field. Downs immediately followed with a sacrifice fly to left field plating Boyer with San Jose's third run of the evening.

The Giants added to their lead in the bottom of the eighth when Felmy led off with a single, stole second base, advanced to third on Tyler Graham's ground out and scored on Sharlon Schoop's sacrifice fly to center.

Joe Paterson relieved Trinidad to begin the top of the eighth and quickly set down the Oaks 1-2-3. In the ninth, Hallberg reached on a one-out infield single before he was erased on Clifford's fielder's choice ground out. A Paterson balk moved Clifford to second base and then Easley lined an RBI single off the fence in left field for Visalia's only run of the contest. Paterson then induced Mee to pop out to second base leaving the potential tying run in the on deck circle.

Paterson (2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO) was credited with his fifth save of the season.

Enright (9-8) suffered the loss on the mound for the Oaks after surrendering three runs (all earned) on nine hits over seven innings. Enright, who leads the California League in strikeouts, walked three and fanned four.

Notes: Tanner's 6 2/3 innings was a season-high ... Monday marked the first time in 21 starts this year that the left-hander pitched into the seventh inning ... Tanner, who won his third consecutive start, lowered his ERA to 3.92 - 10th in the California League ... San Jose out-hit Visalia by a 10-3 margin ... Downs extended his hitting streak to eight games ... The Giants were a perfect 4-for-4 in stolen base attempts ... San Jose is 40-19 at home this season - tops in the league ... Boyer's triple was his fifth of the year - tied with McBryde for the team lead ... The Giants improved their overall record to 73-47 ... San Jose matched a season-high by moving 26 games over .500 ... Monday marked the opener of a six-game homestand for the Giants ... Attendance at Municipal Stadium was 3,029.

On Deck: The Giants and Oaks continue this three-game series on Tuesday evening with first pitch at Municipal Stadium scheduled for 7:00 P.M. Kevin Pucetas (9-0, 2.53 ERA) is slated to start on the mound for San Jose while Visalia is expected to counter with Kyle Wright (3-3, 3.62 ERA). Tickets can be purchased by calling (408)297-1435 or by visiting www.sjgiants.com.

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California League Stories from August 12, 2008


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