Storm Complete Four-Game Sweep Of Giants, 5-3

SAN JOSE, CA - The Lake Elsinore Storm completed a four-game sweep of the Giants with a 5-3 victory over San Jose on Thursday evening at Municipal Stadium. Lake Elsinore jumped out to a 5-1 lead after 3 1/2 innings before holding on late to pick-up the win. With the loss, San Jose (8-20) was swept in a four-game series at home for the first time since the 2011 season.

Austin Slater (3-for-5, 2 RBI, SB) had three singles and drove home a pair of runs to lead the Giants offensively in defeat. Slater extended his hitting streak to 11 games. Brennan Metzger (2-for-4, SB) and Ty Ross (2-for-4, 2B) added two hits apiece.

For the fourth straight game in the series, San Jose scored first taking a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Metzger started the frame with a single to left before stealing second. Slater then singled with one out before a Ryder Jones sacrifice fly put the Giants in front. San Jose had a chance to add to the lead as Dylan Davis followed with a single before a walk to Brian Ragira loaded the bases, however Ross struck out to end the inning.

D.J. Snelten started on the mound for San Jose and struck out five batters over the first two innings before running into trouble in the top of the third. A single from Jose Rondon began the inning. Rondon then stole second and after Auston Bousfield struck out, Fernando Perez delivered an RBI single to tie the game 1-1. Nick Schulz followed with a single of his own before a walk to Marcus Davis loaded the bases. Gabriel Quintana then grounded into a fielder's choice as Davis was forced out at second, however Perez scored on the play to give Lake Elsinore a 2-1 lead.

The Storm then pushed their advantage to 5-1 with three more runs in the top of the fourth. Back-to-back singles from Adolfo Reina and River Stevens put runners on first and second with none out before Rondon dropped down a bunt. On the play, the catcher Ross picked-up the ball in front of home plate, but threw wildly to first and down the right field line. Rondon was credited with a single on the play while the error allowed both Reina and Stevens to score. Two batters, Perez again singled home Rondon to make it 5-1.

Down by four runs, the Giants threatened in the bottom of the fourth as Ross doubled with one out, but was stranded in scoring position. In the sixth, Ragira walked with two outs before Ross singled, however Bednar flied out to left to end the inning. San Jose finally pushed across another run in the seventh to cut the lead to 5-2. With one out, Metzger singled before advancing to second on Hunter Cole's groundout. Slater followed with a single up the middle to plate Metzger with the second Giants run of the night.

San Jose was retired in order in the bottom of the eighth before mounting a rally in the ninth. Metzger was hit by a pitch with one out before he was forced out at second on Cole's grounder to third. With the Giants down to their last out, Cole took second on defensive indifference and scored when Slater singled into center. The hit trimmed the Storm advantage to 5-3 and brought the potential tying run to the plate, however Jones struck out swinging on a full-count pitch to end the game.

Lake Elsinore starter Zech Lemond (2-1) earned the win after tossing 5 2/3 innings with one run and six hits allowed. He walked two and struck out four. Matthew Shepherd pitched the bottom of the ninth for his second save of the year.

Snelten (0-4) lost his fourth consecutive start for San Jose. The left-hander threw 74 pitches in three innings and was charged with two runs (both earned) on four hits. Snelten walked two and struck out a season-high six.

Notes:
* San Jose was last swept in a four-game series at home from June 23-26, 2011 by the Stockton Ports.
* This series marked just the third time since 2004 that a Giants team was swept in a four-game series at Municipal Stadium.
* San Jose has lost seven straight games at home. The Giants' last home win came on April 22.
* Slater's hitting streak is the longest by a San Jose player this season. He has multi-hits in five out of his last six games.
* The Giants out-hit the Storm 10-8 on Thursday. San Jose left 10 runners on base.
* San Jose relievers Jason Forjet (2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO), Jeff Soptic (2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 SO), Mason McVay (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 SO) and Ian Gardeck (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 SO) combined to hold Lake Elsinore hitless over the final five innings.
* Giants pitchers struck out 15 Storm batters.
* San Jose fell to 1-12 this season in games decided by one or two runs. The Giants have lost 12 out of their last 14 games overall.

On Deck: The Giants continue their homestand on Friday evening with the opener of a three-game series against the Stockton Ports. First pitch at Municipal Stadium is scheduled for 7:00 PM. Luis Ysla (0-3, 11.37 ERA) is slated to start on the mound for San Jose while Stockton is expected to counter with Kyle Finnegan (1-2, 4.91 ERA). A spectacular fireworks show presented by Blossom Valley Pony Baseball will follow the game. It's also a KRTY Family Friday at the ballpark. Tickets can be purchased by calling (408) 297-1435 or by visiting sjgiants.com.