Come from behind becoming a habit
Published on May 18, 2003 under California League (CalL1)
Visalia Rawhide News Release
VISALIA â Visalia rallied for three runs in the seventh inning to beat Southern Division leading Lancaster, 3-2. The Oaks took two out of three in the series and have won back-to-back games for the first time since April 19 and 20.
Justin Hampson pitched the first 6.2 innings for the Oaks and allowed only three hits and two runs. It was two of Hampson's five walks allowed that gave Lancaster the chance to take a 2-0 lead in the fifth inning. Hampson gave up a lead off walk in the first inning, retired the next twelve consecutive JetHawk hitters, but started the fifth inning by hitting Jamie Jones in the back with a pitch. Chris Snyder and Mike Thiessen each walked in succession after the HBP to load the bases with no outs.
With the infield playing along the baselines, Kyle Nicholas hit a double past diving third baseman Justin Lincoln to drive in a pair of runs and give Lancaster the lead.
JetHawks starter Matt Henrie at one point retired ten batters in a row and allowed only three infield singles in the first six innings. But in the seventh, Brian Barre hit a slowly bouncing ball to the left of the mound that Henrie fielded and threw wide of first base to start an Oaks rally.
Jayson Nix put two runners in scoring position by driving an 0-1 pitch off the wall in left field. Then Dan Phillips walked for only the fifth time this season to load the bases with nobody out.
Corey Slavik drove in the first Visalia run on a sacrifice fly to right. Dan Conway singled off the glove of shortstop Sergio Santos to tie the game 2-2 and Sean Barker gave the Oaks a 3-2 lead on a double to left-center field.
Ryan Speier relieved Hampson with two on and two out in the top of the seventh inning. He struck out Jones to end the frame and become the winning pitcher. Mike Bumatay pitched two-thirds of an inning and Judd Songster, who was activated Saturday from the disabled list, threw the ninth inning and picked up his second save of the year.
Cashing In: The Oaks took advantage of one of the few opportunities the team had on Sunday. The Oaks left only three runners on base.
Daytimers: Since April of 2002, the Oaks are 8-0 in day games played at Recreation Park. This was the first of six consecutive Visalia home games to be played during the day.
One Game Series: Lake Elsinore will play one game in Visalia Monday afternoon at 12:05. The Storm and the Oaks were rained out on April 17 and Lake Elsinore was not scheduled to return to Recreation Park this season. LHP Jason Wiedmeyer (3-0, 3.00 ERA) is expected to pitch for Lake Elsinore against Visalia's RHP Gerrit Simpson (1-3, 5.49 ERA). The Radisson Hotel Pre Game Show begins at 11:52 a.m. on AM 1270 KJUG.
California League Stories from May 18, 2003
- JetHawks Drop Second Straight - Lancaster JetHawks
- Come from behind becoming a habit - Visalia Rawhide
- Saving the best for last - Visalia Rawhide
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