CalL1 California League

This Week in Cal League Baseball

Published on May 14, 2010 under California League (CalL1) News Release


Port Hueneme, CA - There have been two no-hitters in 2010 and both have been thrown by former California League hurlers! Ubaldo Jimenez (2003/04 Visalia Oaks & 2005 Modesto Nuts) threw a no hitter against the Atlanta Braves on April 17 and when Dallas Braden, (2005/2006 Stockton Ports), threw his perfect game on Mother's Day against the Tampa Bay Rays, it was only the 19th in Major League history. The word "Perfect" fits Braden to a tee as he was a perfect 6-0 with Stockton in 2005 and a perfect 2-0 with the Ports in 2006.

To commemorate the occasion, Stockton will honor Braden during the weekend of May 22-23. In addition to recognition by the Stockton Ports, the Mayor of Stockton, Ann Johnston, will present Braden with a key to the city and a proclamation. The Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce will also present Braden with the Chamber's newly published table top book about Stockton with a personal inscription and with a Lifetime Honorary Membership in the Chamber. The Ports will continue the weekend by giving the first 1,000 fans into the 2:05 p.m. game on Sunday, May 23 with a Dallas Braden Perfect Game poster.

The sixth week of the 2010 Major League baseball season saw a total of 7 players make their major league debuts, only one of them being from the California League. This brings the yearly total to 51 rookies with 14 of them having played in the California League. Eleven have been pitchers, three position players. Visalia has had four former players make their debut, the most of any California League franchise.

Cesar Valdez, a 2008 Visalia Oaks pitcher had a terrific debut in the Big Leagues. In front of 20,370 fans at Houston's Minute Maid Park, Valdez went five solid innings and gave up only one run to earn the victory in the Diamondbacks 9-1 win over the Astros. He gave up five hits, walked three and struck out two, throwing 96 pitches, 59 for strikes. Valdez became only the second rookie pitcher to start a game and win in his major league debut in 2010 (the other was Luis Atilano of the Washington Nationals).

The win had many ties to the California League as 7 of the 9 runs scored by the Diamondbacks were by former California League players. Mark Reynolds (2004/2006 Lancaster JetHawks) scored two runs and scoring one run each were Justin Upton (2007 Visalia Oaks), Stephen Drew (2005 Lancaster JetHawks), Gerardo Parra (2007/2008 Visalia Oaks), Chris Snyder (2003 Lancaster JetHawks) and Rusty Ryal (2006 Lancaster JetHawks and 2007 Visalia Oaks). And with the score tied at 1 a piece in the top of the fourth inning, it was Chris Snyder's three run homer that put Arizona ahead to stay. Reynolds and Upton, each added an RBI. In addition, Esmerling Vasquez (2006 Lancaster JetHawks) pitched two scoreless innings of relief to help preserve Valdez's victory.

Jay ustin (Lancaster JetHawks) and Carlos Pimentel (Bakersfield Blaze) are the Cal League's Players Of The Week for the week of May 3- 9. Austin tore the cover off the ball last week hitting .577 with a double, triple, 3 homeruns, 7 RBI, 11 runs scored, 2 walks, and 4 stolen bases.

ustin's efforts in the leadoff spot helped the JetHawks win 5 out of the 6 games they played last week.

Carlos started 2 games this past week winning one of them and getting a no-decision for the other one, although the Blaze ended up winning his second outing in the last inning. In 12 innings pitched, Carlos didn't allow an earned run while fanning 5. He only gave up 8 hits to opposing batters during stretch and walked 2 giving him a WHIP under 1.00. The Blaze won 4 of the 6 games during the week.

Come see the future MLB stars in the Cal League as the season continues throughout the summer until Labor Day, September 6.

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California League Stories from May 14, 2010


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