Giants Host Bakersfield In Three-Game Weekend Series

At Municipal Stadium
Friday, August 9, 7:00 PM
Saturday, August 10, 5:00 PM
Sunday, August 11, 6:00 PM

Probable Starting Pitching Matchups
Friday
Bakersfield - Shane Dyer (5-4, 3.68)
San Jose - Ty Blach (11-3, 2.64)

Saturday
Bakersfield - Robert Stephenson (1-2, 4.30)
San Jose - Kelvin Marte (4-3, 3.76)

Sunday
Bakersfield - Jacob Johnson (6-4, 5.32)
San Jose - Jason Forjet (3-2, 3.33)

Broadcast Information
All three games in the series will be televised live on Comcast Hometown Network, Channel 104 with Joe Ritzo and Joe Castellano handling the play-by-play and color commentary duties respectively. The entire series can also be heard live on sjgiants.com and inside Municipal Stadium on 92.9 FM with Ben Taylor calling the action. Radio broadcasts begin 30 minutes prior to first pitch with The Giants Pregame Show. All 140 games this season will be aired on the club's official website and through the San Jose Giants Mobile App. Additionally, every home game will be streamed live and available on demand through MiLB.TV.

Giants Begin Three-Game Series Against Bakersfield Tonight
The San Jose Giants return home this evening to begin a three-game series against the Bakersfield Blaze at Municipal Stadium. California League ERA leader Ty Blach (11-3, 2.64) is slated to make the start on the mound for the Giants in tonight's opener. San Jose is 7-5 against the Blaze this season, but just 2-4 in games played at Municipal Stadium.

Road Trip Review
San Jose posted a 2-4 record on their last road trip, taking two out of three games in Bakersfield before dropping three straight to the Visalia Rawhide. Visalia completed the sweep with a 3-2 win over the Giants last Wednesday. San Jose scored both of their runs in the top of the ninth inning. Starting pitcher Clayton Blackburn suffered the loss after allowing three runs (all unearned) on four hits over the first six innings. The Giants are 5-13 in their last 18 road games dating back to July 10.

Overall Record Race
San Jose (68-49) is five games ahead of the Visalia Rawhide (63-54) for the top overall record in the North Division. Including tonight, there are 23 games remaining in the regular season. The Giants would secure homefield advantage (host Game Five) in the Division Series if they finish with the best overall record. San Jose's 25-22 second half record is one game behind the Modesto Nuts (26-21) for first place in the North Division. The Giants are attempting to win both halves in the division for the first time since 2009.

League-Leading Pitching Staff
The Giants pitching staff has compiled a stellar 3.71 ERA this season to lead the California League (Modesto next-closest at 4.02). San Jose has led the California League in ERA seven times over the last nine seasons. Individually, Ty Blach is first in the league in ERA (2.64) and tied for second in wins (11) while Clayton Blackburn is fourth in ERA (3.62) and fourth in strikeouts (119). As a staff, the Giants are first in the league in shutouts (8), strikeouts (1079) and fewest home runs allowed (87).

Harris Powers Offensive Attack
Outfielder Devin Harris is batting .266 this season with team-leading totals of 33 doubles, 21 home runs and 71 RBI's. He's hit safely in 22 out of his last 25 games posting a .323 batting average (32-for-99) during the stretch. Harris is second in the California League with 59 extra-base hits this season. He's first in the league in doubles and tied for fourth in home runs.

Best Tools
Four San Jose Giants received mention on Baseball America's Best Tools in the California League announced earlier this week (voted on by league managers): Kyle Crick (best pitching prospect, best fastball), Clayton Blackburn (best breaking pitch), Ty Blach (best control) and Mac Williamson (best power prospect).

Duffy's Breakout Year
Shortstop Matt Duffy is enjoying a breakout 2013 season. After batting a team-high .307 with four home runs, 43 RBI's and 22 stolen bases for the Class-A Augusta GreenJackets to earn midseason South Atlantic League All-Star honors, Duffy has continued to thrive while in San Jose. Through his first 16 games with the Giants, Duffy is batting at a .333 clip. He's produced five doubles, three home runs and six RBI's with San Jose. During the last road trip (six games), Duffy was 10-for-28 (.357) with two home runs and four RBI's. Duffy is in his second professional season after the San Francisco Giants drafted him in the 18th round last year out of Long Beach State University.

Home Cooking
The Giants are 13-4 in their last 17 games at Municipal Stadium and have won six straight home series'.

First Half North Division Champions
San Jose won their eighth first half North Division title in the last nine years (2005-2011, 2013) earlier this season. The Giants finished the first half with a 43-27 record - four games ahead of the second-place Visalia Rawhide (39-31). By virtue of winning the division crown, San Jose has clinched a spot in the playoffs and earned a first round bye. The Giants will open the postseason on Saturday, September 7 with Game One of the best-of-five North Division Series at Municipal Stadium. San Jose has set a California League record by reaching the playoffs in 10 consecutive seasons (2004-2013). The previous record was held by the Stockton Ports (nine straight years, 1985-1993).

Opponent Notes: Bakersfield Blaze
The Bakersfield Blaze, an affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, own the worst record in the California League at 47-70. The Blaze have gone 8-6 over their last 14 games. Bakersfield's .262 team batting average is tied for first among North Division teams (Visalia) and sixth in the California League. The Blaze are also sixth in the league in ERA (4.82). Right-hander Shane Dyer (5-4, 3.68) is scheduled to make the start tonight.