Bradley tosses seven one-hit innings

For Ryan Bradley, being the son of his organization's Minor League pitching coordinator pays huge dividends.

"He has seen me play for 18 years," the Giants farmhand said of his father, Bert. "He can help me with anything. He knows my mechanics better than anyone."

Bradley yielded one hit over a career-high seven innings Friday night in Class A Advanced San Jose's 5-0 blanking of the visiting Inland Empire 66ers. Bert Bradley, who's around the team every couple of weeks, wasn't in attendance, but he sent a two-word text message to his son: "Great job."

Ryan Bradley (3-2) retired his first 13 batters before C.J. Cron -- the Angels' No. 3 prospect -- singled with one out in the fifth; the ball deflected off second baseman Carter Jurica's glove and caromed into center field.

"I got behind 2-0 and threw a fastball down and away," Bradley said. "It was a one-hop line drive to second base. It was just hit too hard.

"It was a little disappointing, but it happens. I tried to not let it affect me."

The 23-year-old left-hander retired his final eight batters. He fanned six and threw 54 of 83 pitches for strikes.

Bradley, who was told to sit after seven, said he enjoyed command of all his pitches.

"They got themselves out. They were pretty aggressive," he said. "My cutter on the inside half of the plate was working. I was trying to keep them off the outside part of the plate."

Stephen Harrold worked the final two innings to seal the Giants' California League-leading fifth shutout. He gave up the 66ers' only other base knock as Chris Giovinazzo singled leading off the ninth.

A 30th-round Draft pick out of Southern Illinois University in 2010, Bradley compiled a 4.31 ERA in 28 games (10 starts) in his first full-season action at Class A Augusta in 2011. Last Aug. 22 against Kannapolis, he pitched 6 2/3 scoreless innings in what had been the lengthiest outing of his three-year career.

Bradley has been a full-time starter for San Jose. He ranks third among Cal League starters in ERA (1.57), having gone at least six innings in three of six outings. Only Bakersfield's Tony Cingrani (0.32) and teammate Jack Snodgrass (1.23) have pitched better in that regard.

"I definitely enjoy starting more than relieving; that has been a big help for me," Bradley said. "I'm back in a routine and have time to look at stuff in between starts."

The Giants scored two runs in the fifth against 66ers starter Max Russell. San Francisco's No. 7 prospect Joe Panik doubled home the second to highlight a 3-for-3 night. He reached safely in all five plate appearances and is batting .240 through 27 games.

"He's a great player," Bradley said, "and he's got a great swing."

Russell (2-3) allowed five runs on nine hits, including Devin Harris' two-run homer in the seventh, and struck out five over 6 1/3 frames.