Seven Run Eighth Inning Leads to 9-6 Comeback Win For Visalia
August 25, 2016 - California League (CalL1)
Visalia Rawhide News Release
VISALIA, CA - Visalia (75-54, 29-30) scored seven runs on six hits in the bottom of the eighth to stun Modesto (52-77, 26-33) with a 9-6, come-from-behind win to even the series at a win apiece on Wednesday night at Recreation Ballpark.
RHP Troy Niemen (6-4, 3.76) entered the game in the eighth inning and walked SS Galli Cribbs. Then he hit CF Colin Bray and RF Victor Reyes slapped a double down the right field line scoring both Cribbs and Bray and making it a 5-4 game. 1B Austin Byler singled to put runners on first and third before 2B Robelys Reyes dropped down a bunt. On a close play from 1B Collin Ferguson of Modesto to the C Dom Nunez, Reyes was called out at the plate for the second out of the inning and Visalia still trailing 5-4. LF Cody Regis followed with an RBI single to score Byler and tie the game at 5-5. DH Henry Castillo singled home Regis for a 6-5 lead C Michael Perez banged a two run double off the left field wall for an 8-5 lead. Nieman was replaced by RHP Logan Cozart who immediately allowed an RBI triple to Cribbs to cap the scoring at 9-5 and all but secure the come-from-behind effort.
Castillo began the rally in the bottom of the seventh against LHP Helmis Rodriguez, when he connected for his tenth home run of the season, a two run home run after a Robelys Reyes pinch-hit double that cut the lead to 5-2 Modesto.
Rodriguez pitched seven innings and allowed two runs on six hits; one walk and he struck out five but did not earn a decision.
The Nuts built their lead with a single run in the top of the first against Rawhide starter RHP Brad Keller, who lasted just one inning and gave up two hits and a run while striking out one. DH Shane Hoelscher knocked in 2B Forrest Wall for the early advantage four batters into the game.
RHP Nick Baker came into the game in the second and made it into the fourth inning when his defense deserted him. He retired the first two batters and then Ferguson lofted a ball into medium left field and Regis dropped it for a two base error. Five straight hits followed the error that led to four unearned runs charged to Baker's line and a 5-0 Modesto cushion.
Baker pitched 2.2 allowing six hits and the four unearned runs on one walk and he struck out three but it was RHP Drew Muren, who logged 2.1 innings and struck out three and then RHP Bud Jeter (9-3, 3.29) fired two shutout innings giving up one hit and one walk to earn the win that kept Visalia alive in the ballgame.
After the come back the Nuts plated one run in the ninth against LHP Gabriel Moya on two singles and a sacrifice fly by Hoelscher to make it a 9-6 final.
Tomorrow night is the rubber match with another 7:00 p.m. first pitch in the finale of the series. Visalia will throw RHP Justin Donatella (4-3, 3.47) against LHP Jack Wynkoop (6-2, 2.51) for Modesto. Tomorrow night is a Thirsty Thursday presented by Party City with pregame live music from Eddie Guzman from 6:00 p.m. until 6:45 p.m. and $1 select beers from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
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