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| Giants "Sack" Storm, Even Series |
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By Brian Burkett 8/12/2006
San Jose Giants @ Lake Elsinore Storm
The Diamond, Lake Elsinore, CA
John Bowker went 4 for 5
(photo by Damon Tarver) |
Behind a potent offense, the San Jose Giants cruised to an 8-3 win over Lake Elsinore to even this weekend's three-game series.
It was the Giants (69-50 overall) sixth victory in eight meetings against the Storm this season. The club's second half record is 28-21, a game-and-a-half behind first place Visalia in the Northern Division.
The Storm (60-58 overall), which began the day in sole possession of first place in the second half South standings, saw a three-game win streak end. Their record this half falls to 24-24.
The Giants onslaught against Lake Elsinore left-handed pitcher Cesar Ramos (7-7) opened with a four-run first inning. They added another run in the third and three more runs in the sixth. John Bowker led a 16-hit barrage by going 4 for 5 with two RBI and two runs scored. The Giants left fielder, who has now reached base safely in 31 consecutive games, was a home run shy of hitting for the cycle.
San Jose's middle infielders also contributed at the plate. Second baseman Mark Minicozzi and shortstop Tim Hutting each went 3 for 4. Minicozzi collected three RBI on the night while Hutting knocked in two.
Starting pitcher Darren Sack (7-1) was the beneficiary of the run support. In five innings, he allowed just one hit and one run while striking out five. However, the former Sonoma State standout walked six including four over the first two innings.
Bases on balls were a problem for San Jose relievers as well. While lefty Nathan Pendley breezed through a perfect sixth, right-hander Thomas King wasn't as fortunate. King walked four in an inning-and-a-third and gave up two runs. Righty Justin Hedrick got the final five outs in scoreless fashion, but even he issued a walk. All tolled, the Giants handed out 11 walks. This overshadowed the fact a fifth-inning single by Storm center fielder Yordany Ramirez turned out to be their only hit in the game.
On a more positive note for Giants pitching, San Diego Padres first baseman Ryan Klesko has been contained this weekend. The 14-year Major Leaguer, in Lake Elsinore rehabilitating a strained left shoulder, is 1 for 5 in the series with one RBI.
The Giants have pounded out 34 hits in the first two games of the series. Not only have the team's bats flared up, so have their tempers.
Three members of the squad have been ejected through two nights. Saturday, catcher Yamid Haad questioned plate umpire Ryan Stockdale's strike zone after Sack walked the first two men he faced in the bottom of the first. That got Haad an early shower.
Left-handed reliever Alex Hinshaw and manager Lenn Sakata were thrown out Friday by plate ump Jon Conrad. Those ejections came after Hinshaw hit the first batter in the Storm 8th. That drew a warning to both benches from Conrad. When the southpaw plunked the next batter, him and the Giants skipper were tossed.
The weekend set wraps up tonight at 6:05. The match up features a pair of right-handers. San Jose's Gregorio Martinez (7-6, 3.37) seeks his fourth win in his last seven starts and his second win against Lake Elsinore. He'll be opposed by the Storm's Chris Jaile (6-4, 4.68). Jaile, facing the Giants for the fourth time this season, beat them April 23 at The Diamond.
Box Score
Game Log
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