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| Big Inning Costs Giants In 9-3 Defeat At Stockton |
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By Joe Ritzo 8/14/2007
Five-Run Sixth Inning Dooms San Jose
Travis Ishikawa (3-for-4, HR, 2 RBI) was the top
offensive performer in Tuesday's 9-3 loss at Stockton
(photo by Damon Tarver) |
The Stockton Ports took advantage of poor Giants defense to score five runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to break a tie en route to a 9-3 victory over San Jose on Tuesday night at Banner Island Ballpark. Stockton rapped out just two hits in the decisive inning, but benefited from two Giants errors, a passed ball, and a wild pitch to snap a 3-3 tie. The loss, San Jose’s second in a row this series and seventh in their last eight games overall, drops their Second Half to 26-26.
Travis Ishikawa (3-for-4, HR, 2 RBI) led the Giants offensive attack finishing the contest with three of San Jose’s five hits.
The Giants battled back from an early 3-0 deficit scoring two runs in the fourth and one in the sixth to draw even. In the fourth, Eddy Martinez-Esteve doubled to deep right center field with two outs bringing Ishikawa to the plate. Ishikawa then lined a ball over the fence in right field for a two-run homer to make the score 3-2. The home run was Ishikawa’s eighth since joining San Jose.
In the top of the sixth, Mark Minicozzi led off with a walk before a two-out single from Ishikawa put runners on first and third. Mike Mooney then smacked a hard ground ball to third base that was mishandled by Stockton’s Frank Martinez. The play, which was scored a hit, plated Minicozzi with the tying run.
But the Ports had an answer in the bottom of the sixth. Facing Giants starter Henry Sosa, Jon Zeringue led off by drawing a walk. After Tommy Everidge grounded a double down the left field line to put runners on second and third, Sosa was removed from the game in favor of Jason Waddell.
Waddell promptly struck out the first batter he faced, Jose Pineda, but the strike three pitch was dropped by catcher Adam Witter for a passed ball. The miscue allowed Pineda to reach first base while also scoring Zeringue from third with the go-ahead run.
A walk to Steve Kleen loaded the bases before Waddell uncorked a wild pitch to score Everidge with the second run of the frame.
Waddell recovered to strike out Darryl Lawhorn before issuing a walk to Raul Padron to load the bases again. Michael Affronti was up next and he grounded a ball sharply to the mound that was gloved by Waddell. But instead of a potential inning-ending double play, Waddell’s throw home pulled Witter’s foot off home plate allowing Pineda to score for a 6-3 Stockton lead. Witter did complete the play by throwing out Affronti at first base.
Justin Sellers followed by chopping a ground ball over Waddell’s head to the second baseman Minicozzi. Minicozzi fielded the ball cleanly, but his hurried throw to first base was wide of the bag as it bounced into foul territory. The play was officially scored an infield single to score Kleen while Minicozzi’s error allowed Padron to come across with the fifth and final run of the inning.
All total, only one of the five runs allowed by the Giants in the bottom of the sixth inning were earned as Stockton built an 8-3 lead.
Sosa (5-3) was charged with the loss after surrendering five runs (four earned) on four hits in five-plus innings. The right-hander walked five and struck out six.
Stockton jumped in front 3-0 on one swing of the bat in the bottom of the second. Three Sosa walks loaded the bases before Padron stepped to the plate with two outs and belted a pitch into deep right center field for a three-run double.
Notes: Stockton has won five straight games against the Giants … San Jose fell to 3-10 during the month of August … Ishikawa was in a 2-for-38 slump before his breakout game on Tuesday … The Giants have logged seven hits or fewer in eight consecutive games … Waddell (1 IP, 1 H, 3 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO) and Ryan Paul (2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO) both pitched out of the San Jose bullpen … Stockton starting pitcher Luis Ramirez (6 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 9 SO) was credited with the win to improve his record to 5-1 … All of Sosa’s three losses have come against the Ports … The Giants (65-57) remain tied with the Modesto Nuts (65-57) for the top overall record in the North Division … Both clubs are ½ game ahead of the Visalia Oaks (64-57).
On Deck: The Giants try to avoid a three-game sweep when this series concludes on Wednesday night. First pitch at Banner Island Ballpark is scheduled for 7:05 P.M. Joe Martinez (9-9, 4.24 ERA) is slated to start on the mound for San Jose while Stockton is expected to counter with Vince Mazzaro (9-11, 5.58 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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