The Rawhide trailed for the entire game after Dillon Dobson put the Giants ahead with a three-run homer in the fourth inning. San Jose (16-25) used rallies in the sixth and eighth innings to score a run apiece and expand the lead to 5-1, and Visalia’s offense wasn’t putting together hits with runners in scoring position.
With Giants closer Ryan Halstead on in a non-save situation, the Rawhide put together a ninth inning rally, starting with a one-out single by Francis Christy. On the next pitch, Henry Castillo would double Christy home to narrow the deficit to 5-2. Grant Heyman and pinch-hitter Jason Morozowski would draw walks to load the bases and put the tying run on base.
Rawhide Manager Shelley Duncan played all of his cards, pinch-hitting Matt Jones for Galli Cribbs, who had just one hit in his past 21 at bats, but Jones popped out to center. Matt McPhearson represented the last chance for the Rawhide, but after battling Halstead to a 2-2 count he grounded out to short to end the game.
Giants starter Matt Solter (W, 1-0) impressed in his San Jose debut, allowing only one run over his seven innings pitched, scattering seven hits with three strikeouts. Bo Takahashi (L, 0-2) pitched well in four of his five innings, but labored in the fourth and ended up giving up the three-run homer to Dobson that would be the difference in the ballgame.
Miguel Aguilar and Cameron Gann both gave up runs in their relief outings, going an inning and two innings respectively.
Grant Heyman had a three-hit night for Visalia, finished with three singles, and Marty Herum extended his hitting streak to six games with a first-inning RBI single, his third such streak of the season.
Visalia (21-20) earned a series win by taking the first two games of the set against San Jose, but are now five and seven in the final game of a series this year.
The Rawhide will hit the road for a four-game series against Los Angeles Dodgers affiliate Rancho Cucamonga. First pitch tomorrow evening is scheduled for 7:05 PM PM. Visalia will send right-hander Ryan Atkinson to the mound and the Quakes will counter with the righty Adam Bray.