Giants Conclude Regular Season With Four-Game Series Against Inland Empire
Inland Empire 66ers (68–68) at San Jose Giants (80–56)
At Municipal Stadium
• Friday, August 30, 7:00 PM
• Saturday, August 31, 5:00 PM
• Sunday, September 1, 1:00 PM
• Monday, September 2, 2:00 PM
Probable Starting Pitching Matchups
Friday
Inland Empire — Drew Rucinski (2–2, 1.73)
San Jose — Kelvin Marte (6–4, 3.49)
Saturday
Inland Empire — Danny Reynolds (11–10, 5.39)
San Jose — Jason Forjet (4–3, 4.45)
Sunday
Inland Empire — Kramer Sneed (7–3, 3.89)
San Jose — Adalberto Mejia (6–4, 3.38)
Monday
Inland Empire — Orangel Arenas (7–8, 5.27)
San Jose — TBA
Broadcast Information
The entire series can be heard live on sjgiants.com and inside Municipal Stadium on 92.9 FM with Joe Ritzo calling all of the action. Radio broadcasts begin 30 minutes prior to first pitch with The Giants Pregame Show. All 140 games this season will be aired on the club’s official website and through the San Jose Giants Mobile App. Additionally, every home game will be streamed live and available on demand through MiLB.TV.
Giants Begin Four-Game Series Against Inland Empire Tonight
The San Jose Giants begin their final series of the regular season this evening with the opener of a four-game set against the Inland Empire 66ers at Municipal Stadium. Kelvin Marte (6–4, 3.49) is slated to make the start on the mound for the Giants tonight. San Jose is 8–2 against Inland Empire this season, including a perfect 3–0 mark in games played at Municipal Stadium.
Last Game
The Giants crushed the visiting Visalia Rawhide by an 11–1 score last night to avoid the series sweep. Visalia won the first two games of the series claiming a 6–1 decision on Tuesday before a 7–5 victory over the Giants on Wednesday. In yesterday’s contest, Kyle Crick struck out a career-high tying 11 batters over seven scoreless innings to pick-up the win for San Jose. Crick allowed just two hits and walked none during his dominant stint on the mound. Matt Duffy (2-for-5, HR, 3 RBI) and Mac Williamson (1-for-1, HR, 2 RBI) both homered while Myles Schroder (3-for-5) added three hits and scored three runs to lead the way offensively.
Won 11 Of 13
San Jose enters tonight’s contest having won 11 out of their last 13 games. The Giants won a season-high 10 straight games from August 16–26. San Jose swept three straight series’ (vs. Inland Empire — 3, at Stockton — 3, at Bakersfield — 4) during the streak. The Giants averaged 6.8 runs per game and fashioned a 2.54 team ERA over the 10 wins. Visalia ended the streak in San Jose’s homestand opener last Tuesday.
Homefield Advantage
With last night’s victory, San Jose clinched the top overall record in the North Division and secured homefield advantage throughout the playoffs. The Giants are 80–56 overall this year with four games remaining in the regular season. San Jose will host Games 1, 2 and 5 of the best-of-five North Division Series. The North Division also owns homefield advantage in the Championship Series this season. If the Giants were to advance, they would host Games 3, 4 and 5 of the final round.
Hot Hitters
Mac Williamson, named California League Offensive Player of the Week last Monday, is batting .524 (22-for-42) with five home runs and 17 RBI’s over his last 12 games. Williamson has reached base safely in his last nine plate appearances (three hits, three walks, two HBP, one catcher’s interference). Myles Schroder owns a .429 batting average (18-for-42) with two triples, one home run and nine RBI’s over his last nine games.
League-Leading Pitching Staff
The Giants pitching staff has compiled a stellar 3.65 ERA this season to lead the California League (Modesto next-closest at 3.89). San Jose has led the California League in ERA seven times over the last nine seasons. Individually, Ty Blach is first in the league in ERA (2.90) and tied for first in wins (12) while Clayton Blackburn is fourth in ERA (3.65) and fourth in strikeouts (138). As a staff, the Giants are first in the league in strikeouts (1247) and fewest home runs allowed (97).
Dynamic Duo
Outfielders Mac Williamson and Devin Harris have both produced impressive power numbers over the course of the season. Williamson is tied for second in the league in home runs (25) to go with 85 RBI’s and a .296 batting average. He’s batting .336 with 19 homers and 65 RBI’s since June 1 (June .320, July .321, August .368). Harris leads the league in doubles (40), is tied for fifth in home runs (22), has 83 RBI’s and is batting .261 this year. Williamson is tied for third on San Jose’s single-season home run list while Harris is tied for seventh. Adam Duvall (2012) holds the team single-season record with 30 home runs.
Season Series Success
The Giants will finish the regular season with a .500 or above record against every other team in the California League this year.
First Half North Division Champions
San Jose won their eighth first half North Division title in the last nine years (2005–2011, 2013) earlier this season. The Giants finished the first half with a 43–27 record — four games ahead of the second-place Visalia Rawhide (39–31). By virtue of winning the division crown, San Jose has clinched a spot in the playoffs and earned a first round bye. The Giants will open the postseason on Saturday, September 7 with Game One of the best-of-five North Division Series at Municipal Stadium. San Jose has set a California League record by reaching the playoffs in 10 consecutive seasons (2004–2013). The previous record was held by the Stockton Ports (nine straight years, 1985–1993).
Opponent Notes: Inland Empire 66ers
The Inland Empire 66ers, an affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels, have clinched a wild card playoff spot in the South Division. Inland Empire was swept by San Jose during the teams’ last meeting (three games, August 16–18 at Municipal Stadium). The 66ers are third in the league in batting average (.270) and fifth in ERA (4.67). Outfielder Zach Borenstein (.327, 25 HR, 90 RBI) has been named California League Most Valuable Player.
