San Jose Giants Crush Modesto Nuts Feet, Win 8-2 - Adv A, California League

MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com - Matt Downs and Pablo Sandoval each rapped out three hits and Clayton Tanner earned his first win in over a month as the San Jose Giants defeated the Modesto Nuts 8-2 on Thursday night at Municipal Stadium to complete a four-game sweep. Downs hit a go-ahead three-run home run in the bottom of the second inning as the Giants scored eight unanswered runs to finish the contest.

San Jose (27-14) completed their season-long 10-game homestand with an impressive 8-2 record while they continue to sit in a first place tie with the Stockton Ports in the North Division race. Tanner (3-3) earned the victory on the mound after limiting Modesto to two hits and two runs (one earned) over five innings.

The left-hander, who hadn’t recorded a win since April 13, walked three and struck out two. Offensively, Downs (3-for-5, HR, 3 RBI, SB) and Sandoval (3-for-4, 2B, RBI) led an eight-hit Giants attack. San Jose out-hit the Nuts by an 8-6 margin.

Trailing 2-0, the Giants took advantage of wildness from Modesto starter Esmil Rogers in the bottom of the second inning. Consecutive walks to Bobby Felmy and Mike Mooney started the frame before Elio Sarmiento was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Sharlon Schoop then bounced into a fielder’s choice to second base forcing out Sarmiento, but Felmy scored on the play for San Jose’s first run of the evening. Rogers then struck out Juan Ciriaco before Downs stepped to the plate and lined a 1-2 pitch over the fence in left field for a three-run homer.

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The home run, Downs’ sixth of the year, gave the Giants a 4-2 lead. San Jose kept the pressure on in the bottom of the third inning when Sandoval led off with a double off the fence down the right field line. Sandoval moved to third on Andy D’Alessio’s ground out before scoring when Felmy lined a single to left.

In the bottom of the fourth, the Giants plated three more runs against Rogers to take an 8-2 lead. With two outs and the bases empty, Downs singled into center field and then stole second. Ryan Rohlinger followed by drawing a walk before Sandoval grounded a single into left scoring Downs. D’Alessio then brought home two more runs with a bloop double into shallow left center field.

Rogers, who is currently on the Colorado Rockies 40-man roster, suffered the loss after surrendering a season-high eight runs (all earned) on seven hits over four innings. The right-hander saw his record drop to 4-3.

Tanner finished his outing strong on Thursday retiring seven of the last eight Modesto hitters he faced. The southpaw allowed two runs in the top of the first inning as the Nuts built an early 2-0 lead. The first tally came on a throwing error committed by Schoop at shortstop before Modesto first baseman Mike Paulk delivered a sacrifice fly to plate the second run of the frame.

Relievers Juan Trinidad (2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 SO) and Ryan Paul (2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 SO) combined to hold the Nuts scoreless over the last four innings.

Notes: San Jose outscored Modesto 19-3 in the four-game sweep … The Giants pitching staff compiled a remarkable 1.30 ERA (13 ER/90.0 IP) during the 10-game homestand, which included five shutouts … Sandoval has hit safely in seven consecutive games … Tanner was 0-3 with a 9.95 ERA (21 ER/19.0 IP) in his previous five starts … Mooney started his first game of the season in center field … Rogers tossed seven scoreless innings with eight strikeouts against the Giants on April 8 at John Thurman Field … The Giants have now recorded three four-game sweeps this season (April 3-6 at Bakersfield, April 17-20 at Visalia) … San Jose remained in a first place tie with Stockton after the Ports defeated Lake Elsinore, 2-0, on Thursday afternoon.

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