Brusa Bashes Three Homers In 16-5 Rout
MODESTO, CA -Gio Brusa matched a San Jose Giants single-game record with three home runs in a 16-5 victory over the Modesto Nuts on Sunday afternoon at John Thurman Field. The Giants (32-31) pounded out 21 hits in the blowout win to take two out of three games in the
MODESTO, CA -
Brusa (3-for-5, 3 HR, 6 RBI, SB) belted a solo home run in the top of the second, a two-run homer in the eighth and a three-run shot in the ninth to lead the San Jose offensive attack. He became the fourth player in the 31-year history of the San Jose Giants to hit three home runs in a game.
San Jose never trailed in the contest as the Giants erupted for five runs in the top of the second to take an early 5-0 lead. Brusa led off the frame with his first home run of the day - a solo blast to deep right center. With one out,
Both teams then scored a single run in the third. In the top half, Brusa reached on an error, stole second, moved to third on a Fabian single and scored when
The seesaw battle continued in the fourth with another San Jose tally as
Burke then kept Modesto off the scoreboard in both the fifth and sixth innings to maintain the two-run advantage. In the bottom of the fifth, Santa led off with a single, but was immediately erased when the next batter, Pazos, grounded into a double play. In the sixth, Stroosma walked to leadoff but again Burke used a double play to escape.
The Giants then pushed across three runs in the top of the seventh to extend their lead to 10-5. Brusa drew a leadoff walk before
Brusa's second home run of the game stretched the lead to 12-5 in the top of the eighth. With one out, Franco singled before Brusa smacked a home run down the right field line. San Jose then scored four more times, highlighted by another Brusa home run, in the top of the ninth. Consecutive walks to Murphy and Van Horn started the inning before a one-out RBI single from Miller - his fourth hit of the day - extended the lead to 13-5. After Franco grounded out, Brusa stepped to the plate and launched a towering three-run home run to deep right center. The homer, Brusa's third of day and team-leading 10th of the season, gave the Giants a 16-5 lead.
Burke (1-0) earned the win after tossing three scoreless innings of long relief. The right-hander worked around two hits and two walks during his outing. Burke did not record a strikeout.
McClain (2-4) suffered the loss after yielding seven runs (two earned) on nine hits over four innings. He struck out three and walked none.
Notes
* Brusa joined Adam Witter (2007),
* Brusa hit four home runs during the three-game series in Modesto. He's batting .407 (11-for-27) with five home runs in seven games since returning from the disabled list on June 3.
* Brusa also scored five runs on Sunday. His six RBI's were one off the San Jose Giants single-game record.
* San Jose's 16 runs and 21 hits were both their second-highest single-game totals this season (18 runs and 25 hits on April 11 at Lancaster).
* The Giants finished 9-for-19 (.474 AVG) with runners in scoring position.
* Van Horn finished a triple shy of the cycle. He was playing in his first game since June 5 after a stint on the Temporary Inactive List.
* San Jose pitchers induced four double plays.
* Fabian finished 3-for-6 with two doubles after recording just four hits in his previous 35 at-bats.
* Quinn (hamstring) was activated from the disabled list before the game and went 2-for-4 with a pair of singles. He extended his hitting streak to nine games.
* Johnson (2-for-6, 3B) and Franco (2-for-6, 2B, RBI) also produced multi-hit games. Franco's double was his league-leading 20th of the season.
* Sunday was 22nd and final meeting of the first half between San Jose and Modesto (season-series tied 11-11). The teams will not play again until August 24.
* In other roster moves on Sunday, infielder C.J Hinojosa was transferred to Richmond (AA), pitcher
On Deck
The Giants continue their road trip on Monday evening with the opener of a four-game series against the Stockton Ports. First pitch at Banner Island Ballpark is scheduled for 7:10 PM.