CalL1 Visalia Rawhide

5th Inning Comeback Spurs Rawhide

Published on April 29, 2018 under California League (CalL1)
Visalia Rawhide News Release


VISALIA, CA - With a man on and one out in the top of the fifth inning, Visalia starter Emilio Vargas became wild and walked a pair of Inland Empire hitters to load the bases. Vargas, who was approaching his pitch limit, struck out Jonah Todd for the second out of the inning.

Vargas was replaced by Keegan Long, who inherited a bases-loaded jam and two outs. Long took three pitches to induc a flyout from Jordan Zimmerman to keep the Inland Empire lead at 1-0.

In the bottom of the frame the offense kick-started as Adam Walton spurred a two-run rally by singling through the left side. Manny Jefferson, whose three-run triple made him a hero of Friday night's win, came through again in the clutch with a run-scoring double into the left-center field gap to tie the game at 1.

Jefferson moved to third on a fly out by Camden Duzenack and came home to score the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly by Marcus Wilson, giving Visalia a 2-1 lead. Drew Ellis added a solo home run in the bottom of the sixth to put Visalia (14-9) on top 3-1.

The Rawhide bullpen held strong. Long (W, 1-1) pitched a perfect sixth and gave way to scoreless frames from Robby Sexton, Kevin Ginkel, and Tommy Eveld. Rawhide pitchers retired nine straight Inland Empire hitters between the fifth and eighth innings.

Eveld (SV, 1) was helped when Wilson made an outstanding over-the-shoulder running catch in the right-center field gap to start the ninth. Eveld followed the catch by inducing a groundout and striking out Jared Walsh to end the ballgame.

Combined, Rawhide pitchers held Inland Empire (10-13) to a combined two hits in 16 at bats with runners in scoring position. The 66ers stranded 12 runners on base.

Alex Klonowski (L, 0-1) pitched six innings for Inland Empire and held the Rawhide at bay until the 5th. In just his second start in a 66ers uniform, Klonowski struck out six and walked three while allowing five hits.

Vargas was lifted after 4.2 innings and struck out seven hitters, but once again was wild as he walked seven hitters and hit two more.

Visalia looks for the series sweep against Inland Empire tomorrow afternoon. The Rawhide will send RHP Riley Smith (0-1, 6.65) to the bump against Los Angeles Angles #29 prospect RHP Joe Gatto (2-0, 2.37). First pitch is at 2:00 PM and tickets are still available on Rawhidebaseball.com.

Check out the Visalia Rawhide Statistics

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California League Stories from April 29, 2018


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