Gurwitz with Heroics in the Ninth…and the 12th as Sixers Sweep Giants

San Bernardino, CA- The Inland Empire 66ers of San Bernardino got a game-tying solo homer in the ninth and a game-winning RBI single in the 12^th from Designated Hitter Zane Gurwitz to down San Jose 5-4 at San Manuel Stadium. Gurwitz' game-winner to right with the bases loaded was his fourth knock of the night and gave Inland Empire (43-70, 17-27) a three-game sweep over the Giants (51-62, 21-23).
Inland Empire trialed 2-1 heading into the eighth inning when Orlando Martinez, who had already tripled to extend his hit-streak to ten-games, launched a solo homer (8) to righty of reliver Frank Rubio. The Giants took a 3-2 lead in the top of the ninth on an unearned run against IE reliever Tyler Smith when Heath Quinn delivered a sac fly. Gurwitz delivered a solo blast on the first pitch of the bottom of the frame off righty Olbis Parra; it was Gurwitz' fourth 2019 homer with Inland Empire. The contest remained tied through the 11^th but the Giants took a 4-3 lead in the 12^th on an infield hit by Sandro Fabian against Jordan Gubelman pitching in his Cal League debut. Gubelman (1-0) limited the damage to the single unearned run. In the home half of the 12^th the Sixers tied the game with one out when Franklin Torres drilled a RBI single to score Leonardo Rivas. Mike Stefanic followed with a double to the wall in right, his fourth hit of the game put runners at second and third. After an intentional walk to Spencer Griffin, Gurwitz smacked his stinging liner to right against Jesus Tona, who was brought in out of the pen to face him. Southpaw John Gavin was charged with the loss and fell to (2-7). The teams combined to go 4-for-23 with runners in scoring position. Inland Empire improved to 8-8 in extra-inning games.
The Sixers open a three-game set at Modesto on Tuesday at 7:05 pm. The contest can be heard live at 66ers.com.