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| Stockton Scores Two In Eighth To Defeat Giants, 5-4 |
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By Joe Ritzo 5/2/2007
Ports Even Series With San Jose At One Game Apiece
Anthony Contreras (3-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI)
led the Giants offensively in
Wednesday's 5-4 loss to Stockton
(photo by Barry Colla) |
Javier Herrera’s two-run home run in the top of the eighth inning sparked a Stockton Ports comeback effort Wednesday night in a 5-4 win over the San Jose Giants at Municipal Stadium. Herrera’s home run came against Giants relief pitcher Wayne Foltin with one out in the eighth inning and erased a 4-3 San Jose advantage. The Ports bullpen then held the Giants scoreless over the final two frames to preserve the lead and even the three-game series at a game apiece. With the loss, San Jose falls to 18-9 on the year.
The Giants broke a 3-3 tie with a single run in the bottom of the seventh inning to take their first lead of the evening. Barry Gunther singled with one out while consecutive walks to Antoan Richardson and Emmanuel Burriss loaded the bases. Anthony Contreras followed with a groundout to second base, but the play brought home Gunther from third base to give the Giants a 4-3 lead.
Eventual winning pitcher Jeff Muessig though retired the next batter, Tyler Von Schell, on a pop out stranding two runners in scoring position.
In the eighth, Stockton’s Luke Appert led off by drawing a walk with relief pitcher Dave Newton on the mound. After Newton retired Anthony Recker on a groundout, Foltin was summoned into pitch.
Foltin leads the Giants with four saves, but allowed a home run to Herrera, the first batter he faced, to give up the lead. The blast, a line drive to left field, came on a 3-2 pitch and was Herrera’s first home run of the season.
The Giants threatened in the bottom of the eighth inning against Muessig as Will Thompson drew a two-out walk before David Maroul was hit by a pitch. But Muessig responded by inducing Gunther to fly out to left field ending the inning.
Rob Semerano notched his second save of the year by holding the Giants off of the scoreboard in the bottom of the ninth. Contreras singled with two outs, but Von Schell followed with a pop out to second base ending the game.
Contreras (3-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI) was the only player on the Giants to record a multi-hit game. Stockton out-hit San Jose by a 10-8 margin.
Giants starting pitcher Dave McKae received a no-decision after allowing three runs (two earned) on seven hits in six innings of work. McKae walked two and struck out two.
The right-hander allowed two runs in the first inning and another score in the fourth as the Ports opened a 3-0 lead. But the Giants rallied with two runs of their own in the bottom of the fourth inning with Mike Mooney’s RBI single and Maroul’s sacrifice fly bringing home runners.
San Jose tied the score at 3-3 in the bottom of the fifth inning when Richardson led off with a bunt single, stole second, advanced to third base on an error, and scored on Conteras’ sacrifice fly to center field.
Notes: The Giants are now 4-2 on the current homestand with one game remaining … San Jose committed a season-high four errors … Richardson (1-for-4, SB) extended his hitting streak to ten games … The hitting streak is the longest for a San Jose player this season … Richardson also stole his league-leading 17th base of the year … McKae has worked at least six innings in his last five starts … Contreras raised his batting average to a season-high .302 with his three-hit performance at the plate … Stockton won their first game against San Jose in six attempts this season … The Giants now lead the North Division by three games over Visalia (15-12) after the Oaks defeated the Modesto Nuts tonight.
On Deck: The Giants and Ports play the rubber game of this three-game series Thursday evening at Municipal Stadium with first pitch scheduled for 7:00 P.M. Paul Oseguera (1-1, 3.08 ERA) is slated to start on the mound for San Jose while Stockton is expected to counter with Jose Guzman (0-1, 6.00 ERA). Tickets can be purchased by calling (408)297-1435 or by visiting www.sjgiants.com.
Click here to view Box Score
Click here to view Game Log
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