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Giants Fall 2-1, Split Opening Series in Lancaster

April 12, 2015 - California League (CalL1) - San Jose Giants News Release


LANCASTER, CA - Jobduan Morales hit a bases loaded, two-out single in the bottom of the ninth inning to plate the winning run propelling the Lancaster JetHawks to a 2-1 victory over the San Jose Giants on Sunday afternoon at The Hangar. With the loss, San Jose splits the four-game season-opening series against the JetHawks. Both Lancaster wins in the series came in walk-off fashion.

The Giants were held to four hits in defeat on Sunday. San Jose had an opportunity to take the lead in the top of the ninth as they loaded the bases with one out, but failed to score as the game remain tied 1-1.

Austin Slater (2-for-4, 3B) produced two hits, including a triple, to lead the Giants offensively.

San Jose took an early 1-0 lead with a single run in the top of the second inning. Tyler Horan led off the frame with a double into the left center field gap and advanced to third when the next batter, Brian Ragira, flied out to right. Ryder Jones then delivered a sacrifice fly to center plating Horan for a 1-0 advantage.

The JetHawks though immediately answered with a run of their own in the bottom of the second against Giants starter D.J. Snelten. After Chase McDonald led off with a single, J.D. Davis reached on an infield single and when the third baseman Jones threw the ball away to first for an error, the runners advanced to second and third. Jose Fernandez was up next for Lancaster and he lifted a sacrifice fly to deep center scoring McDonald with the tying run.

Snelten worked five solid innings for San Jose allowing just one run on four hits. The left-hander, who was making his California League debut, walked one, struck out four and threw 63 pitches.

The Giants threatened to reclaim the lead in the top of the fourth when Slater lined a one-out triple to deep center. Slater though was stranded at third when Horan and Ragira both struck out swinging to end the inning.

San Jose didn't record another hit until the top of the eighth when Jones led off with a single into center. Brandon Bednar followed with a sacrifice bunt, but Rafael Rodriguez then lined into an inning-ending double play to second base.

With the score still deadlocked, the Giants loaded the bases in the top of the ninth. With one out, Jesus Galindo drew an eight-pitch walk and then stole second. Christian Arroyo also walked before Slater hit a grounder that was gloved by a diving Chan Moon at shortstop. Moon attempted to force out Arroyo at second base, but was his throw was late as San Jose loaded the bases. Slater was credited with a single on the play. However, JetHawks reliever Frederick Tiburcio managed to keep the game tied by registering consecutive swinging strikeouts of the next two hitters, Horan and Ragira, to retire the side.

Ian Gardeck (2 2/3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 SO) was effective in long relief for the Giants working out of a bases loaded, one-out jam in the bottom of the sixth before tossing a 1-2-3 seventh inning. Gardeck then retired the first two batters of the bottom of the eighth before Mason McVay entered and recorded the third out.

After San Jose came away empty-handed in the top of the ninth, McVay returned to the mound in the bottom of the frame. McDonald led off with a line drive single to left before Davis flied out. Fernandez then drew a full-count walk advancing pinch-runner, Brett Phillips, to second. McVay quickly retired Jack Mayfield on a pop out to first, but then walked Marc Wik on a 3-2 pitch to load the bases. Morales was up next and he lined the first pitch of his at-bat over the head of the first baseman Bednar and into right field for a single. The hit easily scored Phillips from third with the game-winning run.

McVay (0-1) was charged with the loss after giving up the deciding run in the final inning.

Tiburcio (1-0), who entered the game prior to Slater's infield single in the top of the ninth, earned the win for the JetHawks.

Notes:

* Both of San Jose's defeats in the series were by one run.

* The JetHawks out-hit the Giants 8-4 on Sunday.

* Horan (1-for-4, 2B) was the only San Jose player to hit safely in all four games of the series.

* During the four-game set, Giants starting pitchers (Tyler Beede, Chase Johnson, Keury Mella and Snelten) worked a combined 18 innings with just two runs allowed.

* Galindo's ninth-inning stolen base was his first of the season. He led San Jose with 31 steals last year.

* The Giants allowed only eight runs during the four-game series.

* San Jose last won a series in Lancaster during the 2011 season (6-13 record since).

* Giants catcher Ben Turner was transferred to Triple-A Sacramento before the game.

On Deck: The Giants continue their road trip on Monday evening with the opener of a three-game series against the Visalia Rawhide. First pitch at Recreation Park is scheduled for 6:00 PM. Luis Ysla (0-0, ---) is slated to start on the mound for San Jose while Visalia is expected to counter with Ryan Doran (0-0, ---). The game can be heard live on sjgiants.com with coverage beginning at 5:30 PM.


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