Modesto Nuts v. San Jose Giants Review

San Jose wins the series 3-0
Series MVP: Jose Flores

Game One: Giants win playoff opener behind Fitzgerald

The Giants struggled in most of the second half, but they started to play okay in September. That momentum carried over despite an opening round bye, and San Jose scored a first run inning. The difference in starting pitching this game was evident; Justin Fitzgerald cruised through seven innings, only allowing one run, and Josh Sullivan struggled with his control and allowed five runs in 4.1 IP. San Jose scored three more in the 3rd and added a couple runs against Modesto's bullpen late and won this one comfortably.

Game Two: Giants take 2-0 series lead on wild pitch

San Jose took another early lead in game two, but Modesto was able to battle back. The Nuts never led, but they never fell too far behind and stayed in the game. Neither starter was very good, but Ethan Hollingsworth hung in there for six innings and gave the Nuts a chance to even the series. Each team had 12 hits, and San Jose leadoff hitter Francisco Peguero extended his hitting streak with another multi-hit game. Sloppy play by Modesto reliever Casey Weathers in the 9th led to a San Jose walkoff win. Weathers committed an error and later threw a wild pitch that allowed Peguero to score the winning run.

Game Three: Five run 5th propels San Jose to second straight championship

Modesto finally took their first lead of the series in the 1st inning on a Jimmy Cesario triple that scored two unearned runs. Unfortunately for the Nuts, that would be the last time they would score this season. Kenny Durst, making his return to the rotation after nearly two months in the bullpen, started off well but run into trouble in the 5th. San Jose scored five in the inning, and they were well on their way to another championship berth. The Giants scored individual runs in the 6th through 8th innings and swept the Nuts out of the playoffs.

The Giants showed no rust despite having nearly a whole week off. They scored a run right off the bat in the first inning Saturday and finished with seven in game one. San Jose averaged seven runs per game in the series, and they had plenty of baserunners too. They had 36 hits in the three game series, and the pressure was on Modesto's pitching staff all series long. The onslaught was led by mainly three players. Francisco Peguero, in the midst of a long hitting streak, had a couple multi hit games, and Jose Flores completed an eight hit series with four singles in the clincher. The rehabbing Brandon Crawford picked up where he left off after a dominant stint with San Jose last year.

In two of the three games, San Jose's starter gave the team what they needed and more. Justin Fitzgerald did what he's done all year and easily secured a win in the series opener. Fitzgerald was the lone starter standing from the team's rotation to start the season after Craig Westcott was promoted and Eric Surkamp and Kyle Nicholson recently went down with injuries. Alfredo Marte struggled again, but Kyle Woodruff continued his successful transition from relieving to starting. Oliver Odle didn't get a chance to pitch, but the team obviously played well enough they didn't need a 4th starter this series.

The Nuts weren't able keep up the momentum they had in San Jose. After having success at Municipal Stadium during the regular season, they went cold in the playoffs and obviously didn't win a game there. Pretty much every team struggles against the Giants in most seasons, and this year was no exception as Modesto was the only team up North with a winning record against them. In addition, the Nuts weren't able to continue their overall momentum, riding a season long eight game winning streak into this series. they went cold at the wrong time, and San Jose had no problem sending them home quickly.

I had concerns about Josh Sullivan and Kenny Durst's spots in the rotation. It turns out, Ethan Hollingsworth wasn't as sharp as usual too, and their starting pitching just wasn't good enough to win this series. Sullivan's control issues continued with four walks in 4.1 IP, and Kenny Durst wasn't able to finish effectively through five innings in his return to the rotation. In games one and two, San Jose got early leads and were able to hold on to win both times. Modesto showed the ability to battle with their backs against the wall this season, but it became too much to do it time after time against the Giants this series.