Late Rally Propels Giants To Sixth Straight Win

SAN JOSE, CA - The San Jose Giants scored four runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to rally past the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, 6-4, on Sunday afternoon at Municipal Stadium. Hunter Cole tied the game in the eighth with a two-run home run before Ben Turner's two-out RBI single gave San Jose the lead. The victory was the Giants' (18-26) third straight to begin the series and their season-high sixth consecutive win overall.

Cole's (1-for-4, HR, 2 RBI) home run was his second in the last two days. Brandon Bednar (2-for-4, 2 RBI) added a pair of run-scoring singles to highlight San Jose's offensive attack.

The Quakes used a four-run top of the sixth inning to build a 4-1 lead over the Giants. San Jose though immediately began their comeback in the bottom of the sixth. Ryan Lollis was hit by a pitch to start the frame before Austin Slater's one-out single put runners on the corners. Ryder Jones then brought home Lollis with a groundout to cut the Rancho Cucamonga lead to 4-2.

Tyler Rogers kept the Quakes off the scoreboard in the seventh and eighth innings recording four strikeouts over the two frames. Then in the bottom of the eighth, Lollis singled into shallow left with one out before Cole stepped to the plate and launched a 2-1 pitch from Rancho Cucamonga reliever Dan Tillman over the fence in left center for a home run. The homer, Cole's second of the season, tied the game 4-4.

The eighth-inning rally continued for the Giants when Jones singled with two outs before Dylan Davis' grounder to third was misplayed by Brandon Trinkwon for an error. Turner was up next and he laced a single into center to easily score Jones with the go-ahead run. Bednar then produced an RBI single of his own to make it 6-4.

With the two-run lead, Dan Slania entered from the bullpen to begin the top of the ninth and worked a quick 1-2-3 frame to end the contest. Slania registered back-to-back swinging strikeouts of Dillon Moyer and Delvis Morales before setting down Rob Garvey on a fly out to left.

Rogers (1-1) was credited with the win out of the San Jose bullpen after tossing 2 1/3 scoreless innings with two hits allowed, no walks and four strikeouts. Slania (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 SO) earned his league-leading ninth save of the season.

Tillman (0-2), who allowed all four runs in the bottom of the eighth, was saddled with the loss. Two out of the four runs were unearned.

Chase Johnson started on the mound for the Giants and struck out a career-high tying nine batters over 5 2/3 innings. Johnson allowed only one run and two hits with two walks during his 95-pitch performance. After surrendering a leadoff infield single to begin the game, Johnson retired the next 11 Quakes hitters, including five via the strikeout.

The Giants took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second as three walks loaded the bases before Bednar delivered an RBI single into shallow center.  

Meanwhile, Johnson allowed only two hits and no runs over the first five innings to maintain the 1-0 advantage. In the top of the sixth, Johnson retired the first two batters before issuing a walk to Cody Bellinger. Jake Smith (0 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 0 SO) was then summoned from the bullpen and after Bellinger stole second, Paul Hoenecke blooped an RBI single into shallow center to tie the game 1-1. Joey Curletta then gave the Quakes a 3-1 lead with a line drive two-run home run to left. The home run was Curletta's fourth of the season. Smith's struggles continued as Brian Wolfe doubled to deep right and after Moyer walked, Morales greeted the new pitcher Rogers with an RBI single to make it 4-1.

Rogers managed to get out of the sixth stranding two runners and then struck out the side in a 1-2-3 top of the seventh. Rogers then used a double play to pitch around a leadoff single in the eighth before San Jose reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the inning.

Notes:
* San Jose won for the second time this season when trailing after seven innings (2-19). It was also Rancho Cucamonga's first loss this year when leading after seven innings (21-1).
* The Giants out-hit the Quakes 8-7. Five of San Jose's eight hits came in the bottom of the eighth.
* Cole is 6-for-13 (.462) with two home runs and five RBI's in the first three games of the series versus Rancho Cucamonga.
* Johnson matched a career-high in strikeouts set on August 27, 2014 while pitching for the Class-A Augusta GreenJackets.
* Johnson lowered his ERA to 2.68 - eighth in the California League.
* Lollis (1-for-2) extended his hitting streak to eight games with his eighth-inning single.
* The Giants are 8-1 in their last nine home games.
* San Jose pitchers combined for a season-high tying 15 strikeouts on Sunday.
* With the win and Bakersfield's loss on Sunday, the Giants moved out of last place in the first half North Division standings for the first time since April 27.

On Deck: The Giants wrap-up their seven-game homestand on Monday afternoon with first pitch against the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes scheduled for 2:00 PM. Nik Turley (0-0, ---) is slated to start on the mound for San Jose while the Quakes are expected to counter with former major leaguer Erik Bedard (0-0, ---). Tickets for the Memorial Day game are available and can be purchased by calling (408) 297-1435 or by visiting sjgiants.com.