
The San Jose Giants clinched the California League North first half title Saturday night with a 6-5 victory over the Stockton Ports while second-place Visalia lost to Bakersfield. It was San Jose’s fifth consecutive first half title, a California League record.
The Giants (41-28) scored three times with two outs in the top of the ninth inning to overcome a 5-2 deficit.
Hitting stars for the Giants were first baseman Angel Villalona, who went 3-for-4, and centerfielder Tyler Graham, who had two singles and two RBI’s, and scored the winning run in the ninth.
Steve Edlefsen (1-1) pitched a scoreless eighth and ninth and was credited with the victory. Justin Friend pitched the ninth, giving up two hits, and three runs (only one earned) while seeing his record fall to 1-3.
Visalia, which started the season with a league record ten straight victories, suffered its fifth straight defeat Saturday and its record fell to 39-30, tied with Modesto for second place.
Clinching the first-half title means the Giants get a bye during the first round of the playoffs which begins in September.
The Giants and Ports conclude the first half with a 2:05 p.m. game on Sunday at Banner Island Ballpark. Scheduled starting pitchers are Paul Oseguera (0-2) for San Jose and Mathieu Leblanc Poirier (0-3) for Stockton