Victor Bericoto had three hits, including his third home run of the season, to lead a 13-hit attack for the San Jose Giants in an 8-5 victory over Stockton on Thursday night. His seventh-inning blast was the opening shot of a three-homer inning that put the Giants up for good.
Alexander Suarez followed with a two-run shot later in the inning, his second of the season. Rayner Santana finished off the four-run rally with his second home run of the season. The #8 and #9 hitters in the San Jose order combined to go 4-for-9 with four RBIs.
The win put the Giants at 14-10 on the season and pulled them even with the Fresno Grizzlies atop the North division standings.
LHP Matt Mikulski went three innings and allowed two runs on seven hits with one walk and three strikeouts.
Stockton DH Kevin Richards was 3-for-4 with his fourth home run of the season. Three of his long balls have come in this series.
Stockton 2B Robert Puason went 2-for-4 with a double, his third multi-hit game in his last four outings. Puason, the Oakland A’s #21 prospect, is 6 for his last 13 and 9 for his last 27. Still just 19 years old, Puason has lifted his batting average from .196 to .244 over the last week.
SCOREBOARD
MODESTO – 12
FRESNO – 6
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VISALIA – 6
INLAND EMPIRE – 7
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RANCHO CUCAMONGA – 4
LAKE ELSINORE – 5
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