CalL1 Visalia Rawhide

Baker breaks tie with game winner

Published on June 13, 2004 under California League (CalL1)
Visalia Rawhide News Release


BAKERSFIELD– The Visalia Oaks are a first place team for the first time since beating San Jose to improve to 5-5 on April 17 following a 5-3 win at Bakersfield on Saturday. Visalia has won four in a row and seven of its last eight games.

Jeff Baker hit a two-run homer with two out in the top of the eighth to break a tie and give the Oaks their 5-3 lead.

Ben Crockett pitched into the seventh inning without earning a decision for the third time in his last four starts for the Oaks. Crockett allowed all three Bakersfield runs on seven hits and two walks.

Meanwhile, Blaze pitchers issued 12 walks, including a season high eight by starter Mark Comolli. The knuckle baller, Comolli, issued three walks but no hits in the first inning as the Oaks took a 1-0 lead when Jeff Salazar scored from third on a wild pitch.

The Blaze tied the game in the bottom of the fourth on a ground out by Gabby Martinez that allowed Joey Gomes to score from third. Gomes reached base on a lead off double.

Visalia reclaimed the lead in the top of the fifth on Sean Barker's RBI double. K. J. Hendricks walked to start the inning and scored on the two-bagger.

Eric Reece belted his seventh home run of the season in the sixth to put the Blaze on top, 3-2. The two run shot followed a leadoff single by Joey Gomes.

Joe Yarbrough issued a bases loaded walk in the top of the seventh to Brian Barre, which tied the game, 3-3. Yarbrough came on to replace Mike Navaroli, who loaded the bases on two walks and a hit batsman. Navaroli left the game due to an injury with a 2-0 count on Barre.

Eudy More pitched 1.2 innings and struck out four for the Oaks. Mike Cosgrove threw a scoreless ninth, despite allowing back-to-back two out walks to earn his 15th save.

Another New Pitcher: Japan native Yusuke Arakawa is now on the Oaks' roster.

Arakawa pitched all of last season with Tri City of the Short Season Single-A Northwest League. The right hander went 3-1 with a 3.18 ERA in 30 relief appearances for the Dust Devils. He struck out 38 while walking just 11 in 34 innings. Arakawa was expected to begin the season with the Oaks, but remained in extended spring training to this point, nursing a sore pitching elbow. LHP Isaac Pavlik has been released by Colorado to make room for Arakawa. Pavlik went 1-1 with an 8.61 ERA in 23 innings over 23 appearances for Visalia this season.

Trying for a Sweep: The final game of the three game series in Bakersfield is Sunday at 7:30 p.m. RHP Doug Johnson (2-7, 8.54 ERA) is expected to start for the Oaks against Blaze LHP Sam Walton (0-3, 3.95 ERA). The Radisson Pre Game Show begins at 7:22 p.m. on AM 1270 KJUG and at kjugam.com.

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California League Stories from June 13, 2004


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