SAN JOSE, CA - Modesto's Chris Mariscal hit an RBI double in the top of the ninth inning to drive home the only run of the game on Saturday night to lead the Nuts to a 1-0 victory over the San Jose Giants at Municipal Stadium. The loss was San
SAN JOSE, CA - Modesto's Chris Mariscal hit an RBI double in the top of the ninth inning to drive home the only run of the game on Saturday night to lead the Nuts to a 1-0 victory over the San Jose Giants at Municipal Stadium. The loss was San Jose's (37-50 overall, 7-10 second half) second straight to begin the series and fourth in five games on the homestand.
The Giants were held to just six hits in the contest - all singles - and had just one inning with a runner in scoring position. Four Modesto pitchers - Spencer Herrmann, Joey Strain, Lukas Schiraldi and Matt Walker - combined on the shutout.
Albert Suárez, who joined San Jose from the Triple-A Sacramento disabled list before the game, started on the mound for the Giants. Suarez tossed three scoreless innings surrendering just one hit single during his stint on the mound. The right-hander walked one and struck out one.
Originally scheduled starter Mike Connolly then took over out of the bullpen to begin the top of the fourth and kept the Nuts off the scoreboard all the way until the ninth. Modesto threatened in the top of the fourth against Connolly as Eric Filia led off with a single before Mariscal walked to put runners on first and second. Connolly through induced Joey Curletta to ground into a 6-4-3 double play before Gianfranco Wawoe grounded out to end the inning.
Facing Herrmann, San Jose then threatened in the bottom of the fourth, but also came away empty-handed. Back-to-back singles from Ronnie Jebavy and Ryan Howard started the inning to put runners on first and second with none out. Aramis Garcia then flied out to center advancing Jebavy to third with one out. Heath Quinn was up next and he flied out to shallow right for the second out. Jebavy remained at third on the play, but Howard tagged and attempted to move into second, however was thrown out easily to end the inning. The Giants would then not advance another runner past first base for the remainder of the game.
Meanwhile, Connolly continued to cruise for San Jose working around a leadoff single in the fifth before a 1-2-3 top of the sixth. In the seventh, Curletta led off with a single before he was sacrificed to second by Wawoe. Joe DeCarlo followed with a fly out to right for the second out of the inning. Luis Liberato then hit a grounder into the hole on the right side that was stopped by a diving Jalen Miller at second base. Liberato easily made it into first for an infield single with Curletta racing around third and attempting to score on the play. Miller though jumped to his feet and threw out Curletta at the plate to retire the side and keep game scoreless.
In the bottom of the seventh, Gio Brusa singled with two outs, but was stranded when Jonah Arenado struck out. Connolly returned to the mound for the top of the eighth and allowed a one-out single to Kevin Santa, but promptly picked off the runner at first. In the bottom of the inning, Junior Amion singled with out, but Miller followed by grounding into an inning-ending double play.
The Nuts would then finally breakthrough in the top of the ninth. Filia led off the inning with a single before a Connolly wild pitch advanced the runner to second. Moments later, Mariscal belted a double to deep left center easily scoring Filia from second for a 1-0 Modesto lead.
Walker then entered from the Nuts bullpen to begin the bottom of the ninth and quickly retired Jebavy on a fly out and Howard on a groundout before Garcia reached first safely on a fielding error committed by Wawoe at third. Walker though came back to set down Quinn on a groundout to shortstop to seal the Modesto victory.
Schiraldi (2-0) was credited with the win out of the Nuts bullpen after tossing scoreless seventh and eighth innings. Walker earned his sixth save of the year. Herrmann pitched five scoreless innings to begin the game with four hits allowed, one walk and two strikeouts.
Connolly (4-7) was saddled with the loss despite allowing just one run over six strong innings of long relief. The right-hander gave up seven hits, walked one and struck out one during his 70-pitch performance.
Notes
* San Jose has scored only six runs over the first five games of the homestand.
* The Giants fell to 14-30 at home this season.
* Connolly was making just his second relief appearance of the year (13 starts).
* Modesto out-hit San Jose 8-6.
* The Nuts have won four games in a row. Modesto has allowed a total of just one run during the win streak.
* The teams combined for six double plays on Saturday (three each).
* Suarez was making just his fourth appearance of the season (first three with the AZL Giants).
* First baseman Dillon Dobson was placed on the 7-day disabled list before the game. Infielder/outfielder T.J. Bennett and relief pitchers Will LaMarche and David Owen were also transferred to Sacramento (AAA). Pitcher Heath Slatton and infielder A.J. Ramirez joined the Giants from Salem-Keizer (Short-Season).
On Deck
The Giants and Nuts continue their four-game series on Sunday evening with first pitch at Municipal Stadium scheduled for 5:00 PM. Mark Reyes (4-10, 5.76 ERA) is slated to start on the mound for San Jose while Modesto is expected to counter with Reggie McClain (8-5, 3.75 ERA). For tickets, call (408) 297-1435 or visit sjgiants.com.
