Missed opportunities with runners in scoring position late cost the Giants on Friday night as the Visalia Rawhide posted a 4–3, 10-inning win to even the season-opening series at a game apiece. Visalia’s Renae Martinez hit a bases loaded sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 10th to score Camden Duzenack, the automatic runner at second to begin the inning, with the game-winning run.

San Jose spent most of the evening battling back as they twice rallied to tie the score, but could never take a lead. With the game even 3–3, the Giants threatened in the top of the ninth putting runners on first and second with one out, but a Malique Ziegler 6–4–3 double play ended the threat.

Per Minor League rules, each half-inning in extras begin with an automatic runner at second, but San Jose was unable to capitalize in the top of the frame to move in front. Ziegler served as the automatic runner (after making the final out of the top of the ninth) and immediately advanced to third when Bryce Johnson lined a single to left. The Giants though were unable to bring Ziegler home. Manuel Geraldo was up next and he struck out on three pitches. Heliot Ramos then fanned for the second out before Joey Bart took a called third strike on a 3–2 breaking ball to end the inning.

Visalia then took advantage of their automatic runner in the bottom of the 10th to secure the walk-off win. With Frank Rubio on the mound and Duzenack at second, leadoff batter Jose Caballero grounded out to third to begin the inning. Following a walk to Mark Karaviotis and an intentional walk to Yoel Yanqui that loaded the bases, Martinez lifted a fly ball to straightaway right that was easily caught by Johnson for the second out. Johnson then made an accurate throw to the plate, but Bart couldn’t handle the one-hopper as Duzenack slid in safely with the game-deciding run.

Despite the loss, the Giants bullpen was again very impressive during the mid-to-late innings. Joey Marciano didn’t allow a hit over the sixth and seventh innings to keep the game tied. Marciano retired six of the seven batters he faced with three strikeouts. Rubio then set down the side in order in both the eighth and ninth innings registering four strikeouts. The run allowed by Rubio in the bottom of the 10th was an unearned tally because it was the automatic runner at second that eventually came home. The Marciano/Rubio duo combined to not allow a hit over the final 4 2/3 innings of the contest.

Offensively, Johnson posted his second straight multi-hit game in the leadoff spot with a pair of singles in five at-bats. Johnson brought home San Jose’s first run of the game with an RBI groundout in the top of the fifth. Orlando Garcia (2-for-3) and Ziegler (2-for-4) added two hits apiece. Meanwhile, Ryan Kirby blasted a game-tying solo home run in the top of the sixth — the first homer hit by a Giant this season.

Joey Marciano fired two hitless innings of relief in Friday’s loss

GIANTS NOTES

Gavin Makes 2019 Debut

John Gavin made the start on the mound for the Giants on Friday, but lasted just two innings due to a high pitch count (53 pitches). Gavin surrendered one run in the bottom of the first on a Yanqui RBI triple before pitching around two walks in a scoreless second. The left-hander finished with three walks and four strikeouts in his two innings of work. Gavin made six starts with San Jose late last season and is the only pitcher currently in the Giants starting rotation with any California League experience prior to 2019.

Ramos, Bart Both Hitless

A night after Heliot Ramos and Joey Bart combined for three hits, two RBI’s and a stolen base, the top prospect duo both went hitless Friday. Ramos finished 0-for-5 and struck out three times while Bart went 0-for-3 with a walk and a hit by pitch.

Bid For 2–0 Start Falls Short

The Giants were looking for their first 2–0 start since the 2014 season.

Kirby’s Power

Kirby is certainly no stranger to the long ball as the first baseman led Augusta with 14 homers last season. His sixth-inning blast was a towering drive that sailed well over the fence in deep right.

On Deck

Game 3 of the series on Saturday night is a 7:00 PM first pitch. Right-hander Trenton Toplikar will make his California League debut for the Giants. Toplikar fashioned a 1.23 ERA over 36 2/3 innings with Salem-Keizer (Short-Season level) last season. The game can be heard on sjgiants.com.