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| Stockton Home Runs Sink Giants In Series Opener |
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5/16/2008
San Jose's Four-Game Winning Streak Snapped After 6-4 Loss
Pablo Sandoval (2-for-4, HR, RBI) hit
his team-leading eighth home run of the
season in Friday's 6-4 loss at Stockton
(photo by Barry Colla) |
Stockton’s Sean Doolittle hit a two-run go-ahead home run in the bottom of the seventh inning propelling the Ports to a 6-4 victory over the San Jose Giants on Friday night at Banner Island Ballpark. In the opener of a four-game series, Stockton blasted three homers to account for all six of their runs en route to the win. With the loss, the Giants fall to 27-15 and now sit one game behind the Ports (28-14) for the top spot in the North Division.
San Jose mustered only six hits on Friday as they saw their four-game winning streak snapped. Pablo Sandoval (2-for-4, HR, RBI), the only Giants player who finished with a multiple-hit game, blasted his team-leading eighth home run of the season.
With the score tied 4-4, Stockton’s Archie Gilbert led off the bottom of the seventh inning with an infield single to shortstop against San Jose reliever Dan Griffin. After Josh Horton popped out, Doolittle stepped to the plate and belted a 1-0 pitch well over the fence in right field for his league-leading 12th homer of the year.
Arnold Leon earned his second save of the season when he retired six Giants hitters in a row over the eighth and ninth innings.
San Jose starting pitcher Kevin Pucetas received a no-decision after surrendering four runs (all earned) on seven hits over five innings. Pucetas walked just one and struck out six, but allowed his first two home runs of the season.
In the bottom of the first inning, Gilbert led off with a single before Chris Carter was hit by a pitch with two outs to put runners on first and second. Daryl Lawhorn then lofted a high fly ball down the left field line that just cleared the fence for a three-run homer.
Mike Affronti extended the Stockton lead to 4-1 with a leadoff homer in the bottom of the second inning. Pucetas though would recover to not allow another run for the remainder of his outing.
The Giants battled back with a two-out rally in the top of the fourth inning against Ports starter Graham Godfrey. Sandoval singled with one out and then consecutive two-out walks issued to Andy D’Alessio and Mike Mooney loaded the bases. Bobby Felmy followed with a line drive single into right field to score a pair of runs. Sharlon Schoop then singled sharply into left field to score Mooney with the tying run. However, Felmy was thrown out by the left fielder Gilbert trying to advance to third base on the hit to end the inning.
San Jose had an opportunity to take the lead in the top of the sixth inning when they loaded the bases with one out to knock Godfrey out of the game. But reliever Derrick Gordon promptly struck out Felmy before Schoop flied out to shallow center field to keep the game tied.
Sandoval’s two-out solo homer to deep right center field in the top of the first inning gave the Giants an early 1-0 advantage.
Notes: Friday’s game marked the beginning of an eight-game road trip for San Jose … Stockton out-hit the Giants by an 11-6 margin … Pucetas had thrown 47 innings this season before allowing a home run … Griffin (1-2) suffered the loss on the mound after surrendering two runs (both earned) on three hits over 1 2/3 innings … The home run he allowed was his first in 23 2/3 innings pitched this year … The Ports lead the California League with 48 home runs … Gordon (2-0) was credited with the win after tossing 1 2/3 scoreless innings of relief … The game-time temperature at Banner Island Ballpark was 102 degrees.
On Deck: The Giants and Ports continue this four-game series on Saturday night with first pitch at Banner Island Ballpark scheduled for 7:05 P.M. Ben Snyder (5-0, 0.73 ERA) is slated to start on the mound for San Jose while Stockton is expected to counter with James Heuser (2-1, 6.67 ERA). The game can be heard live on www.sjgiants.com.
Click here to view Box Score
Click here to view Game Log
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