Brignac Doubles Home Winning Run in the Bottom of the Ninth
Published on July 22, 2006 under California League (CalL1)
Visalia Rawhide News Release
Again, the Oaks won a thrilling game in late innings on the dangerous bat of shortstop Reid Brignac. With one out in the bottom of the ninth, Brignac doubled into the rightfield corner driving home Fernando Perez from first base with the winning run to give Visalia a 6-5 win. This time, to make it even sweeter, Brignac helped beat the Oaks' nemesis, the San Jose Giants (18-10/59-39) and hand the Giants previously untouchable closer Brian Anderson his first loss of the year. With the win, the Oaks (17-10/50-47) moved within a half game of first place San Jose.
Oaks starter Derek Feldkamp handed the bullpen a 5-3 lead after six innings. Visalia looked to have the game in hand with hard-throwing righthander Nick DeBarr on the hill in the eighth and a two run lead. However, with one out, DeBarr gave up back-to-back solo HR to shortstop Julio Cordido and leftfielder Carlos Sosa tying the game at 5-5. They were just the second and third homeruns DeBarr has allowed all year.
Visalia scored in the first inning to take an early 2-0 lead. After Fernando Perez walked, DH Evan Longoria drove him home with a sharp single to centerfield. Later, Josh Arhart blooped a double into shallow center to drive home Longoria.
Each team scored three times in the third inning. San Jose took advantage of one of Feldkamp's few mistakes to take a 3-2 lead when John Bowker hit a bomb of a three run HR to right field. In the bottom half of the inning, the Oaks loaded the bases for cleanup hitter Chris Nowak. He grounded weakly back to the pitcher, Anthony Moreno, who threw home, but catcher Tyler LaTorre's throw to first to complete the double-play sailed down the rightfield line. Two runs scored on the play, and Nowak landed at third on the throwing error. Arhart followed by doubling into the right-center field gap driving home Nowak. Visalia led 5-3, at that point in the third inning, a lead that lasted into the eighth inning.
Nick DeBarr earned the win, his second of the year. After his rocky eighth, he worked around a leadoff walk in the ninth by striking out the final two Giants in the ninth. Oaks starter Derek Feldkamp allowed three runs on seven hits in six innings.
Game two of the four-game series is Saturday at 7:05. Frito Lay sponsors a t-shirt giveaway for the first 500 fans through the gates.
California League Stories from July 22, 2006
- Oaks Blow Past Giants and into First Place with 10-2 Win - Visalia Rawhide
- Brignac Doubles Home Winning Run in the Bottom of the Ninth - Visalia Rawhide
- JetHawks Power past Lake Elsinore - Lancaster JetHawks
- Quakes One Better Than 66ers, Win 3-2 - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
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