Ericson Leonora Fuels Offense with Two Long Balls
Published on April 13, 2016 under California League (CalL1)
Visalia Rawhide News Release
SAN JOSE, CA - The Ericson Leonora show rolled into the Silicon Valley on Wednesday afternoon and did not disappoint, as the Visalia Rawhide (5-1, 5-1) defeated the San Jose Giants (2-2, 2-2) 8-4 to win the series on the strength of Leonora's two home run, seven RBI performance.
Trailing 3-0 in the top of the second LF Ericson Leonora came up with two on and one out and spanked one down the left field line for a game-tying three run home run, his first of the season.
San Jose jumped out to their early 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first against Rawhide starter LHP Josh Taylor, who lasted only .2 of an inning. DH Chris Shaw had a big two-run double in the frame that staked San Jose to a 2-0 lead before 3B Jose Vizcaino Jr. knocked in the final run of the inning with an infield single.
Giants starter RHP Mark Reyes only lasted 2.0 innings before being pulled for RHP Jose Reyes (0-1, 4.50) in the third. Mark Reyes final line in his outing was three hits allowed, three runs (all earned), two walks and one strikeout.
Visalia took the lead in the third when they began the frame by having four straight men reach base. 1B Rudy Flores, who had a three-hit night, led off with a single followed by DH Grant Heyman reaching on an error. 2B Henry Castillo knocked in Flores with a single for the 4-3 advantage and SS Domingo Leyba singled to cap the rally.
RHP Blake Perry, who finished the first inning, reemerged for the second and gave up three singles to San Jose, including an RBI one-bagger to C Ty Ross to even the score at 4-4.
Jose Reyes pitched through a clean third but did not survive the fourth. Heyman and Castillo both singled to begin the inning and two batters later LHP Carlos Diaz entered the game. He walked C Tyler Baker to bring up Leonora for the third time in the game. This time Leonora got a hold of one out to straightaway centerfield for a grand slam that pushed the Rawhide out in front for good, 8-4.
For Leonora, he finished 2-for-4 with two home runs, two runs, a walk and seven RBIs.
Neither team scored again in the ballgame as the Rawhide bullpen pitched 8.1 innings of scoreless innings in relief of the starter Taylor who was ejected in the first inning.
LHP Austin Wright (1-0, 0.00) earned the victory for two shutout innings with two strikeouts. He came in after Perry went 2.1, allowing four hits and one run (earned) with two strikeouts. RHP Myles Smith followed with two scoreless frames, walking one and striking out five, LHP Zac Curtis threw a scoreless inning and RHP Jimmie Sherfy closed out the win.
The Rawhide return home now to open a four game series against a familiar foe, the Bakersfield Blaze at Recreation Ballpark. RHP Brad Keller (0-0, 1.50) will take on RHP Tyler Pike (0-0, 0.00) in the home opener for Visalia. Â
The Visalia Rawhide will officially begin their 70th consecutive season of baseball in Visalia with the home opener on Thursday, April 14th vs. Bakersfield at Recreation Ballpark with a 7:00 PM first pitch. Tickets and group packages are on sale now! Call the ticket office at 559-732-4433 or head to rawhidebaseball.com for tickets and more information!
California League Stories from April 13, 2016
- Rawhide Power Past Giants in Series Finale, 8-4 - San Jose Giants
- Ericson Leonora Fuels Offense with Two Long Balls - Visalia Rawhide
- Nuts Tie It Late, Fall 4-3 in Extras - Modesto Nuts
- Petty Wallops Nuts in 13th, 4-3 - Bakersfield Blaze
- Sixers Drop Third Straight One-Run Game, Fall to 0-6 - Inland Empire 66ers
- Giants Bounce Back with 8-5 Victory over Rawhide - San Jose Giants
- Diaz with Big Night in Rancho's 6-5 Win over Inland Empire - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Unearned Runs Sink Ports in 3-1 Loss - Stockton Ports
- Solid Arms Carry JetHawks to Series Win - Lancaster JetHawks
- Sloppy Defense Dooms Blaze in 13-3 Defeat - Bakersfield Blaze
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