'Hide Steal Game 1 in San Jose
September 8, 2013 - California League (CalL1)
Visalia Rawhide News Release
SAN JOSE -On paper, at least, the first game of the California League semifinals between San Jose and Visalia was a mismatch.
The Giants were playing at home. They had Ty Blach, whose 2.90 ERA led the league during the regular season, taking the hill. At 83-57, they boasted the league's best overall record and they'd had five days off after earning a first-round bye.
The Rawhide were on the road and starting Brandon Sinnery, a 23-year-old who joined the team in late July from Class A South Bend and compiled a 9.26 ERA in his last four starts of the season.
Naturally, none of that mattered.
Sinnery allowed a run on six hits over 6 1/3 innings on Saturday night, pitching the Rawhide to a series-opening 4-2 victory over San Jose in the North Division Finals.
It was an impressive showing against Blach, who gave up a run on five hits and two walks with five strikeouts over five frames.
"Everything was working," Sinnery said. "I was locating my fastball pretty well inside and out, my slider I could throw for strikes and my curveball was getting me strikeouts. And I got a lot of good plays out of the infield, which helped a lot.
"That's what it's all about in the playoffs, just making good pitches. We knew it was going to be a low-scoring game, hopefully, and it was nice to come out on top."
Sinnery began the season in the Midwest League, where he earned a promotion by going 7-4 with a 3.04 ERA. He ended up with a 5.80 ERA over 49 1/3 innings with Visalia after the string of tough starts at the end of the year.
"My last couple outings of the season were a little shaky, so it was nice to get up there on the mound tonight in a big moment and succeed," the University of Michigan product said. "It's huge to come to San Jose and win Game 1. We know if we can get another win we can go home and win the series -- that's the best-case scenario."
Visalia broke up the pitchers' duel by scoring three times in the sixth. Kevin Medrano delivered a tiebreaking single and Gerson Montilla followed with a two-run single. Medrano, Montilla and Ryan Stovall finished with two hits apiece.
The teams will square off again in Game 2 on Sunday in San Jose.
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California League Stories from September 8, 2013
- 'Hide Steal Game 1 in San Jose - Visalia Rawhide
- Rodgers Dominant in Game 1 Win - Lancaster JetHawks
- Giants Drop Game One To Visalia, 4-2 - San Jose Giants
- Final Rally Falls Short, 66ers Drop Division Finals Opener - Inland Empire 66ers
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