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| Giants Win Second Straight Over Visalia, 5-4 |
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By Joe Ritzo 4/18/2008
San Jose Has Won Seven Out Of Their Last Eight Games
Steve Edlefsen earned the win
on Friday night with 3 2/3
scoreless innings of relief
(photo by Barry Colla) |
The San Jose Giants scored single runs in the seventh and eighth innings to come-from-behind and defeat the Visalia Oaks 5-4 in front of a capacity crowd at Recreation Park on Friday night. Brett Pill scored the go-ahead run in the top of the eighth on a wild pitch while relievers Steve Edlefsen and Taylor Wilding combined to shutout the Oaks over the final 4 1/3 innings of the contest. The victory, San Jose’s second in a row to begin the series and seventh in their last eight games, improved the Giants’ record to 11-5.
Pablo Sandoval (2-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI) continued his hot start to the season in leading a 12-hit Giants offensive attack. Tyler Graham (2-for-5, RBI, SB), Andy D’Alessio (2-for-4, 2 2B), and Bobby Felmy (2-for-3) also produced multiple-hit games at the plate.
Edlefsen (1-1) was credited with his first victory of the season after tossing 3 2/3 innings of scoreless relief. The right-hander, who at one point set down nine Oaks hitters in a row, allowed one hit with two walks and four strikeouts. Wilding retired the final two batters of the game for his second save of the series.
Trailing 4-3 in the seventh inning, Mike McBryde started a run-scoring rally by reaching on a throwing error committed by Visalia shortstop Pedro Ciriaco. Matt Downs followed with a sacrifice bunt before Graham singled sharply into center field to plate McBryde with the tying run.
In the eighth, Pill started the inning with a double to the gap in left center field. D’Alessio then smacked a double over the head of Oaks center fielder Gerardo Parra. However on the play, Pill was anticipating having to tag up at second base and thus was only able to advance to third. But with the next hitter, Felmy, at the plate, Visalia reliever Kyler Newby uncorked a wild pitch to score Pill for a 5-4 Giants lead.
Edlefsen worked perfect seventh and eighth innings before issuing a leadoff walk to Pete Clifford in the bottom of the ninth. A wild pitch advanced Clifford to second base, but Edlefsen responded by striking out Steve Mena. Wilding was then summoned from the bullpen and he promptly retired Brad Miller on a routine ground out to shortstop as Clifford moved to third. Then pinch-hitter Justin Brashear grounded a ball softly to shortstop that Sharlon Schoop fielded cleanly and threw to first just in time to record the final out of the game.
Clayton Tanner started on the mound for the Giants and yielded four runs (all earned) on six hits in 4 2/3 innings. Tanner, who entered the game with a perfect 0.00 ERA, walked three and struck out two.
San Jose initially jumped in front 2-0 with single runs against Oaks starter Barry Enright in the first and second innings. Downs started the game by drawing a walk and scored on Sandoval’s two-out double to right center field. In the second, D’Alessio led off with a double and scored when Juan Ciriaco bounced into a 6-4-3 double play.
Tanner worked a perfect bottom of the first to extend his streak of not allowing an earned run to 18 innings to start the year. However, Visalia struck for three runs in the second frame to take their first lead of the series. Clifford brought home the first tally with a sacrifice fly before Mena clubbed an RBI double. Then with two outs, Ciriaco grounded a single up the middle to score the third run of the inning.
The Giants quickly tied the score with a run in the top of the third. Graham led off with a single, stole second base, and scored on Sandoval’s one-out single into left center field.
Tanner held the Oaks off the scoreboard in the third and fourth innings before issuing two walks in the bottom of the fifth and leaving with runners at the corners and two outs. Edlefsen was brought in from the bullpen and he allowed a double to the first batter he faced, Richardo Sosa, to plate the go-ahead run. San Jose though would record an out on the play when Parra was retired at home when he attempted to score from first base.
Notes: The Giants have won the first two games of the series, 7-4 and 5-4 … San Jose has allowed more than four runs just once in 16 games this season (5-4 loss at Modesto on April 7) … Tanner’s season ERA still stands at a sparkling 1.66 (4 ER/21.2 IP) … Wilding leads the club with three saves … Every Giants starter recorded at least one hit on Friday with the exception of Ciriaco (0-for-3) … San Jose out-hit Visalia by a 12-7 margin and notched five doubles … Graham’s stolen base was his team-leading seventh of the season… The Giants maintain a one-game lead over the Stockton Ports (10-6) for first place in the North Division … San Jose owns the top record in the California League after Friday’s victory.
On Deck: The Giants and Oaks continue this four-game series on Saturday evening with first pitch at Recreation Park scheduled for 7:05 P.M. Kevin Pucetas (2-0, 2.12 ERA) is slated to start on the mound for San Jose while Visalia is expected to counter with Wes Roemer (1-0, 2.03 ERA). The game can be heard live on www.sjgiants.com.
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