CalL1 San Jose Giants

Visalia Edges Giants In Series Opener, 3-2

Published on June 20, 2008 under California League (CalL1)
San Jose Giants News Release


Visalia Oaks pitchers held the Giants to just one hit over the last seven innings on Thursday night in a 3-2 victory over San Jose at Municipal Stadium. In the opener of a three-game series, San Jose mustered just four hits total and couldn't overcome the Oaks' three-run top of the first inning. With the loss, the Giants' overall record drops to 45-29.

Ben Snyder (8-3) suffered a tough-luck loss on the mound for San Jose after surrendering three unearned runs over seven hits in 5 2/3 innings. Snyder walked one and struck out five as he dropped his ERA to 2.00 - lowest in the California League.

The decisive top of the first inning started when Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Eric Byrnes, who is playing for Visalia on a rehabilitation assignment, reached on a fielding error committed by Giants shortstop Sharlon Schoop. After a wild pitch moved Byrnes to second base, Pedro Ciriaco singled into left field advancing Byrnes to third. Then when Bobby Felmy threw all the way to home plate, Ciriaco alertly moved to second. Greg Thomson followed with a double down the right field line to score both runners for a 2-0 Oaks lead.

Snyder recovered to set down the next two hitters before Steve Mena drew a walk. Then Richard Mercado delivered a clutch hit with a two-out single to score Thomson with the third run of the frame.

The Giants immediately answered with a run of their own in the bottom of the first. Matt Downs started the inning with a single and then was advanced to second base on Tyler Graham's sacrifice bunt. Pablo Sandoval followed with a sharp double into the right field corner to score Downs with San Jose's first run of the contest.

The Giants threatened in the bottom of the second inning to cut further into the Visalia lead when Schoop walked with two outs before Mike McBryde singled to put runners on first and second. But Oaks starting pitcher Cesar Valdez recovered to strikeout Downs ending the inning.

Valdez, who was pulled after three innings of work due to a strict pitch count, and three Visalia relievers then combined to allow just one hit for the remainder of the evening. In the bottom of the sixth, Graham led off with a double, advanced to third on Sandoval's ground out and scored when Ryan Rohlinger bounced out to second base.

In the bottom of the seventh, Brett Pill reached on an error with one out before moving to second on Schoop's ground out. McBryde followed with a sharp grounder to third base was stopped by a diving Mark Hallberg, who then got to his feet and tagged out Pill to end the inning.

The Giants were then retired 1-2-3 over the final two innings. Oaks reliever Kyle Wright (2-3) was credited with the victory after two perfect frames during the fourth and fifth innings. Kyler Newby earned his ninth save of the year after working the final inning.

Snyder recovered from a slow start to retire 12 of the final 14 batters he faced. Taylor Wilding relieved the San Jose starter with two outs in the top of the sixth and went on to finish the game. Wilding, who faced the minimum 10 batters during his 3 1/3 innings of work, allowed just one hit with no walks and one strikeout.

Notes: San Jose has lost four consecutive games at home after beginning the year with a 25-7 record at Municipal Stadium ... The Giants fell to 2-2 in the second half ... Visalia out-hit San Jose by an 8-4 margin ... No Giants starter finished with a multiple-hit game ... McBryde (1-for-3) extended his hitting streak to 11 games with his second-inning single ... San Jose mustered only two baserunners over the final seven innings ... The Giants are still the only team in the California League this season without a victory when trailing after seven innings ... Byrnes, in the first game of his rehabilitation assignment with Visalia, was 1-for-4 with a single and a run scored ... Relief pitcher Dan Otero joined the Giants from Augusta (Low-A) before the game ... Otero, a South Atlantic League All-Star this season, had a 0.33 ERA and 18 saves with the Greenjackets ... To make room on the roster, Wilmin Rodriguez (1-1, 5.64 ERA) was transferred to Augusta.

On Deck: The Giants and Oaks continue this three-game series on Friday evening with first pitch at Municipal Stadium scheduled for 7:00 P.M. It's a KFOX Family Friday at the ballpark and tickets can be purchased by calling (408)297-1435 or by visiting www.sjgiants.com. Tim Alderson (6-3, 2.84 ERA) is slated to start on the mound for San Jose while Visalia is expected to counter with Barry Enright (6-4, 4.93 ERA).

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California League Stories from June 20, 2008


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