SAN JOSE: Starting pitching solid, yet bullpen flounders again

HUFF JOINS CLUB, GOES 1-FOR-5 AS GIANTS LOSE 8-3

San Francisco Giants first baseman Aubrey Huff began his second rehab stint with Class A San Jose late Saturday afternoon. Huff’s presence brought crowds but no victory to Municipal Stadium as Visalia defeated San Jose 8-3 to start the three-game series.

Shawn Sanford started for the first time since June 25 when he gave up eight runs against Stockton in four-plus innings. Sanford kept Visalia relatively in check for most of Saturday’s outing, giving up two runs on four hits in four and a third, striking out three. He was pulled in the fifth for submariner Phil McCormick who, along with fellow reliever Edward Concepcion, allowed four more runs in just 2/3 of an inning.

The loss drops Sanford to 5-6 on the season.

Manager Andy Skeels pulls Sanford in the fifth. (Conner Penfold/Working Titles)

Joe Panik congratulates Carter Jurica following his lead-off home run in the first. (Conner Penfold/Working Titles)

Second baseman Carter Jurica‘s lead-off homer, his third of the year, ignited the crowd early as San Jose held a 1-0 lead into the fourth.

Jurica went 2-for-5 on the afternoon and is 13-for-38 (.342) with a homer and seven RBIs in his last 10 games.

Huff went 1-for-5 with an eighth inning single, eventually scoring on Brennan Metzger’s RBI-single. He batted third as the designated hitter, riding the elliptical bike often between innings.

 

If using a mobile device, click here.

PHOTO & VIDEO: San Jose Giants at Modesto Nuts

1B Ricky Oropesa went 1-for-4 with a double, but struck out in this at-bat in the 5th. (Conner Penfold/Working Titles)

BULLPEN STRUGGLES AS SAN JOSE LOSES SIXTH STRAIGHT

San Jose dropped their sixth consecutive game Wednesday night in Modesto, falling 9-0 to the Nuts who were backed by a seven inning, seven strikeout performance from ace Christian Bergman. The 24-year old right-hander gave up just four hits en route to his 12th win of the year.

Complications with the team bus delayed the arrival of San Jose until almost 6:00 PM, shortening warm-up time and batting practice, and it showed on the field. The Giants managed just four hits off Bergman and relief pitcher Isaiah Froneberger, who hurled two perfect innings to close the game.

Justin Schumer tossed five innings, giving up one run on two hits. (Conner Penfold/Working Titles)

SCHUMER SOLID ON SHORT NOTICE

Justin Schumer received late notice that he’d be starting, as lefty Josh Osich was slated to take the mound before management elected to move Osich back into a bullpen role. Schumer took the loss despite allowing just one earned run on two hits in five innings.

The loss was his fourth of the year and drops him to an even 4-4.

Though Osich didn’t get the nod, he came in to relieve Schumer in the sixth, struggling through the sixth and seventh innings before exiting after facing two batters in the eighth. Osich allowed three runs on four hits, though he struck out three with his fastball occasionally topping out around 93-94 MPH.

Osich, a sixth round selection in 2011, was teammates with catcher Andrew Susac at Oregon State University.

PHOTO GALLERY: San Jose Giants vs. Modesto Nuts

Modesto scored two runs in the 7th to break a 4-4 tie, defeating San Jose 6-4 on Friday night at Municipal Stadium. RHP Ryan Bradley started for San Jose (5 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 6 BB, 3 K) and took a no-decision. 3B Adam Duvall and 1B Ricky Oropesa both went 2-for-4 and Duvall, along with SS Joe Panik and C Andrew Susac each had RBIs for the Giants.

If using a mobile device, click here.