The front-running Modesto Nuts were cooled down, for one night at least, as the San Jose Giants raced out to a big early lead and won 16-5 on Tuesday night at John Thurman Field. A 6-3 game into the fourth inning was put out of reach by a crazy 8-run inning to make it 14-3 and San Jose cruised from there.
Both teams put up three runs in the first inning, but the Giants kept adding on. Two in the second and a single run in the third made it 6-3 before the unconventional inning that saw San Jose put up a 4-spot.
Chandler Bierley came on in relief for Modesto and the leadoff hitter, Bryce Eldridge, reached on an error by 2B Michael Arroyo and advanced to second. From there it was Walk, WP, HBP, Walk, WP, Walk, HBP, Walk, WP and San Jose was up 11-3. Bierley recorded the first out of the inning by strikeout and was relieved with a line of 1/3 IP, 7 Runs (4 ER), 0 H, 4BB and 1 K.
The Giants got four IP from starter Ubert Mejias who settled down after the 3-run first inning. Mejias allowed 3 runs, (1 ER) on three hits with three walks and six strikeouts.
RHP Shane Rademacher (W, 3-0) went three innings in relief and allowed two runs, both unearned, on four hits and no walks with six strikeouts.
Eldridge hit a three-run home run (3) in the first inning and Jonah Cox went 3-for-7 with two runs scored and two RBIs for the Giants.
Modesto (24-9) still holds a 5 1/2 game lead in the North division while San Jose (17-17) is 7 1/2 games back.
Game three is Thursday at 7:05 PM.
