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| Modesto Takes Second Straight From Giants, 3-1 |
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7/16/2009
San Jose Musters Only Six Hits In Defeat
Conor Gillaspie (2-for-4) had two of San Jose's
six hits in Thursday's 3-1 loss to Modesto
(photo by Tony Medina) |
Modesto Nuts starting pitcher Connor Graham and three relievers combined to limit the Giants to just one run in a 3-1 victory over San Jose on Thursday evening at Municipal Stadium. Graham tossed the first 5 1/3 innings and surrendered one run while Craig Baker earned his league-leading 25th save of the year with a perfect bottom of the ninth. The loss, San Jose’s second in a row to begin the series, drops the Giants’ second half record to 16-5.
San Jose mustered only six hits in the contest with Conor Gillaspie (2-for-4) leading the offensive charge. The Giants though failed to record a hit with a runner in scoring position for the second consecutive night.
The Nuts led throughout the entire evening scoring one run in the top of the first inning before plating two more runs in the second to take a 3-0 lead. In the first, three consecutive singles from Charlie Blackmon, Maikol Gonzalez and Hector Gomez to begin the contest against San Jose starter Paul Oseguera produced one run.
In the second, Matt Repec led off with a single before Radames Nazario walked to put runners on first and second. After a sacrifice bunt from Lars Davis, Michael Mitchell hit a ground ball to shortstop that saw Brian Bocock throw home to easily pick-up the out on Repec. However, an Oseguera wild pitch advanced Mitchell to second base and then Blackmon grounded a single up the middle to bring home two runs and extend the Nuts lead to 3-0.
Graham (6-4) was impressive for Modesto yielding just five hits with one walk and six strikeouts during his stint on the mound. The Giants threatened against Graham in the bottom of the second when Gillaspie led off with a single before a two-out bunt single from Aaron Lowenstein put runners on first and second. However, Tyler Graham followed by grounding into a fielder’s choice to end the inning.
San Jose scored their only run of the night in the bottom of the fourth. Thomas Neal started the frame with a single before Gillaspie grounded a single down the left field line. On the play, Neal easily advanced to third, but Gillaspie was thrown out at second by left fielder Scott Beerer attempting to stretch the hit into a double. C.J. Ziegler then delivered a sacrifice fly to center plating Neal to bring the Giants to within 3-1.
Oseguera (2-4) suffered the loss for San Jose after yielding three runs (all earned) on nine hits over six-plus innings. The left-hander walked one and struck out four. Oseguera settled down after the first two innings facing the minimum three batters in the third, fifth and sixth frames. In the seventh, Oseguera surrendered back-to-back singles to start the inning prompting a pitching change as T.J. Brewer was summoned from the bullpen. Brewer immediately uncorked a wild pick-off throw to second base for an error advancing the runners to second and third with none out. However, Brewer pitched out of trouble striking out Mitchell and then after an intentional walk, induced pinch-hitter Jason Van Kooten to line out to second before Gomez struck out swinging.
Brewer (2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 SO) also worked a scoreless top of the eighth before Daniel Turpen (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 SO) held the Nuts off the scoreboard in the ninth.
San Jose managed just one hit over the final five innings with their only baserunners coming on a one-out walk to Neal in the sixth and a two-out double off the wall in left from Graham in the seventh. The final seven Giants hitters were retired in order with Sean Jarrett (2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 SO) pitching the seventh and eighth innings before Baker’s (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 SO) scoreless bottom of the ninth.
Notes: The Giants still own a 15-11 advantage in the season series over Modesto … Graham picked-up his first win in four starts this year against San Jose … Baker has recorded a save in the first two games of the series … The Giants were 0-for-4 batting with runners in scoring position … Neal extended his hitting streak to 10 games with his fourth-inning single … It marked the third time this season that Neal has amassed a hitting streak of at least 10 games … All 10 hits for the Nuts were singles … San Jose’s overall record dropped to 58-33 … The Giants saw their 11-series winning streak come to an end … San Jose last lost a series from May 27-30 at Visalia.
On Deck: The Giants and Nuts continue their series on Friday evening with first pitch at Municipal Stadium scheduled for 7:00 PM. Craig Clark (9-2, 2.98 ERA) is slated to start on the mound for San Jose while Modesto is expected to counter with Kenny Durst (2-9, 5.02 ERA). The first 750 fans through the gates will receive a 10-card San Jose Giants Trading Card set courtesy of Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino. Tickets are available by calling (408)297-1435 or by visiting www.sjgiants.com. Friday’s game will also be televised live on Comcast Hometown Network, Channel 104 throughout most Northern California regions.
Click here to view Box Score
Click here to view Game Log
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