66ers' McGowin goes seven shutout innings

Kyle McGowin got himself in and out of trouble a lot Monday en route to his first victory.

The right-handed Angels prospect scattered three hits and a walk while striking out five over seven innings as the Class A Advanced Inland Empire 66ers blanked the San Jose Giants, 6-0, on Monday.

McGowin (1-0) worked with traffic on the basepaths throughout the night, but was no worse for the wear. The Savannah State product pitched around a fielding error by shortstop Jose Rondon and a walk issued to Trevor Brown. After retiring the side in order in the second, the right-hander surrendered singles to Rando Moreno in the third, Chris Lofton in the fifth and Mitch Delfino in the sixth, but stranded all three.

The 66ers came to their starter's aid in the sixth, breaking through against San Jose's Chris Stratton. Jose Rondon smacked an RBI single and Cal Towey followed with an run-scoring groundout. Stratton (1-2), San Francisco's No. 7 prospect, was charged with two runs on three hits over six innings, striking out five and walking one.

One inning later, Inland Empire put the game out of reach with a four-run seventh highlighted by second baseman Sherman Johnson's bases-clearing triple.

McGowin finished strong, setting down six of the final seven men he faced.

Inland Empire reliever Kurt Spomer yielded just one hit and struck out a man over two innings to close the door.