The San Jose Giants won both ends of a double header against the Visalia Rawhide on Friday night to take four of the first five games in the series. Expected bad weather over the weekend pushed the Sunday game up in an effort to get all six games in. Both games were scheduled for seven innings.
The Giants themselves were swept in their season-opening three-game series against Fresno and came into the Visalia series at 0-3. After splitting the first two games against the Rawhide, San Jose has now won three straight.
Game 1 was a 2-1 extra-innings win with the deciding run coming in on a bases-loaded walk. The installed runner advanced to third on an error by Rawhide SS Cristofer Torin. An infield single loaded the bases with no outs.
Visalia’s Sam Knowlton struck out the next two batters but couldn’t get out unscathed. He then walked Guillermo Williamson to force in the eventual winning run.
San Jose starter Cale Lansville went four innings and gave up a run on three hits and a walk with three strikeouts. Cesar Perdomo (W, 1-0) threw three scoreless innings with no hits or walks and three strikeouts. Tommy Kane pitched a clean bottom of the eighth to get his first save of the season.
Cesar Quintas singled in the only other run for the Giants.
GAME TWO
Another well-pitched game went to the Giants as they pushed across two runs in the sixth inning and held off a Visalia rally for a 4-3 win. SS Cole Foster drove in two of the San Jose runs by reaching on an error and drawing a bases-loaded walk.
Joe Whitman started and went four innings, allowing two runs on three hits and a walk with seven strikeouts. Shane Rademacher (W, 1-0), finished it off with three IP, giving up a run on two hits with a walk and five Ks.
The Giants drew nine walk in the game with Foster (2) and Jonah Cox (4) combining for six.
Torin went 4-for-8 over the two games and scored two runs for Visalia.
San Jose (4-4) is a half game out in the North division. Visalia (4-4) surrendered first place in the South division to Rancho Cucamonga and now sits a half-game back.
