Lancaster JetHawks Blank San Jose Giants 2-0 - Adv A, California League

MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com - Lancaster’s Adam Mills tossed eight dominant innings of two-hit ball in the JetHawks’ 2-0 shutout victory over the San Jose Giants on Tuesday night at Municipal Stadium. In the opener of a three-game series, Mills at one point retired 14 consecutive Giants hitters before Lancaster closer T.J. Large worked out of a jam in the bottom of the ninth.

With the loss, San Jose drops to 41-24 while their lead in the North Division race has been trimmed to three games over the Stockton Ports (38-27). Only five games remain in the first half.

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Mills (7-4) was spectacular on the mound as the right-hander struck out five and did not issue a walk. The only hits Mills allowed were a third-inning double to Mike McBryde and an eighth-inning double off the bat of Andy D’Alessio.

The JetHawks scored their only two runs of the contest in the top of the sixth inning thanks to a two-out, two-run homer from Josh Reddick. With two outs, Giants starter Tim Alderson issued a full-count walk to Jon Still.

That prompted a pitching change as Mike Musgrave was summoned from the bullpen. Musgrave though would allow a home run to Reddick on an 0-2 pitch as the Lancaster hitter drove a fly ball well over the fence in right field.

Alderson (6-3), who was named to the California League All-Star team earlier in the day, suffered a tough-luck loss. The right-hander equaled a season-high with eight strikeouts compared to just one walk in 5 2/3 innings. Alderson surrendered four hits and one run during his 93-pitch performance.

Facing Large, the Giants threatened in the bottom of the ninth. McBryde led off with a sharp line drive double into the left field corner before Tyler Graham drew a four-pitch walk to put runners on first and second. Matt Downs then advanced the runners to second and third with a sacrifice bunt to bring Sandoval to the plate.

However, Large settled down as he struck out Sandoval on three pitches and then induced Ryan Rohlinger to fly out to left field ending the game. McBryde (2-for-3, 2 2B) recorded two of San Jose’s three hits. The JetHawks out-hit the Giants by a 7-3 margin.

Alderson was impressive as he struck out at least one batter in the first five innings of his start. The right-hander lowered his ERA to 3.13 – eighth-best in the California League.

Notes: Tuesday marked the first meeting of the season between the Giants and the JetHawks … San Jose dropped to 3-2 on their current seven-game homestand … Musgrave (3 1/3 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO) finished the contest out of the Giants bullpen … The eight innings pitched was a season-high for Mills … Large was credited with his eighth save of the year … Graham (0-for-3, BB) saw his 10-game hitting streak come to an end … San Jose’s lead in the North Division was cut to three games after Stockton notched a 4-3 victory over the Bakersfield Blaze on Tuesday … The Giants’ magic number (combination of San Jose wins and Stockton losses) remained at three to clinch the first half North Division title.

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