CalL Fresno Grizzlies

Fresno Grizzlies Game Notes at Inland Empire

Published on August 12, 2022 under California League (CalL)
Fresno Grizzlies News Release


The Grizzlies and 66ers continue their six-game series tonight. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 pm PT from San Manuel Stadium. Grizzlies RHP Victor Juarez and 66ers RHP Kelvin Caceres are the probable starters. I have attached the roster/game notes.

Yanquiel Fernandez has hit safely in 11 straight games from July 29-August 11. He is 16-for-49 (.327), 3 HR, 2 3B, 4 2B, 24 RBI, 8 R, 3 BB, HBP

The Grizzlies scored in six of their nine innings last night, including a six-run sixth. They added four runs in the seventh as well.

Zach Kokoska joined Yanquiel Fernandez (Sunday) and Juan Guerrero (twice) as the only 2022 Fresno batters to notch two hits in a single inning. Kokoska recorded his pair of hits in the sixth.

Benny Montgomery's four runs tied a season-high by a Fresno batter. Montgomery had a career-game last night (career-highs in triples, doubles, runs, ABs and hits).

Last night, Brayan Castillo tied his career-high with six innings of one-run ball. He allowed a trio of hits and walks while fanning two. The righty also induced two early double plays. Castillo has tossed 11 frames over his last two outings. He has permitted three runs on four hits and six walks while punching out six.

INFO ABOUT INLAND EMPIRE: The Fresno Grizzlies and Inland Empire 66ers continue their six-game series tonight at San Manuel Stadium. This is the only regular season matchup between the two clubs and the second meeting ever between the Grizzlies and 66ers. Last season, the squads split their six-game series in Inland Empire with Fresno winning the first three games. The 66ers are the current affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels and have been a part of the Angels system since 2011. Prior to teaming up with the Angels, the 66ers had ties to the Los Angeles Dodgers (1995-2000) and Seattle Mariners (1987-1994, 2001-2006) organizations. They were also the former Fresno Giants/Fresno Cardinals franchise. The 66ers are named after the historic U.S. Route 66 that runs through San Bernardino. Prior to the name change, the 66ers were known as the San Bernardino Stampede (1996-2002) and San Bernardino Spirit (1987-1995). The mascot for Inland Empire is Bernie, who is one of the only talking mascots in all of professional baseball. Bernie has been apart of the organization since 1999. The 66ers play at San Manuel Stadium and are owned by Elmore Sports Group.

COOKING UP A WIN: Last night, Fresno's offense sizzled for 16 runs on 18 hits and seven walks. Every Grizzlies starter recorded one hit or more and scored at least one run. 11 of the 12 Fresno batters reached base at least once and eight players supplied one or more RBI. Of the 18 hits, seven of them landed for extra-bases with four going for triples. The four triples tallied the most hit by the Grizzlies lineup in a game this season. Cuba Bess (2nd), Benny Montgomery (5th) and Zach Kokoska (6th) all roped triples and waltzed home on the next play. Bess scored on a single while the other two scampered in on sacrifice flies. Braxton Fulford smoked the other triple in the fourth, plating a run. All four three-baggers happened within the first two batters of that specific inning. Both Montgomery and Kokoska led off their frames with triples. Besides the quartet of triples, the Grizzlies pounded 14 more hits, including a grand slam. Yanquiel Fernandez was the recipient of the grand slam, his 15th tater of the year. Fernandez has mashed two of Fresno's four grand slams this season. The right fielder also drove in a team and game-high six RBI while extending his hit streak to 11 contests. Fernandez finished with three hits and two runs as well. Montgomery and Ben Sems rocked doubles to help the rout. The duo combined for seven hits and five runs scored. Adael Amador mustered a walk and hit while scratching across two runs. Both Juan Brito and Juan Guerrero whacked one hit and raced home twice. AJ Lewis brought in two runs with a pinch-hit single to right.

DON'T POKE THE BEAR: The Grizzlies are first in all of Minor League Baseball with 104 hit-by-pitches (Rancho Cucamonga, 97). They also rank tied for first with 44 sacrifice flies (Hickory and Northwest Arkansas), second with a .278 batting average (El Paso, .287), second with 225 doubles (El Paso, 241), second with a .371 OBP (Rancho Cucamonga, .382), third with 713 runs, third with an .836 OPS, third with a .465 slugging percentage, fourth with 1,693 total bases, fifth with 1,011 hits, fifth with 625 RBI and 15th with 153 stolen bases.

RECORD WATCH: A pair of Fresno Grizzlies are inching closer to joining the Top 10 in two different single-season franchise records. Fresno outfielder Yanquiel Fernandez currently has 30 doubles, one shy of joining the Top 10. Second baseman Juan Brito currently has 25 doubles, six shy of joining the Top 10. Jack Mayfield (2018), Nate Schierholtz (2007) and Calvin Murray (1999) each recorded 31 doubles in their respected seasons. Fernandez also has five triples, two shy of joining the Top 10. Brito currently has six triples, one shy of joining the Top 10. Preston Tucker (2017), Nate Schierholtz (2007), Jason Ellison (2004) and Calvin Murray (1999) each registered seven triples in their respected years.

TIME TO GET A VICTORY WITH VICTOR: Tonight's scheduled starter is righty Victor Juarez, a 19-year old from Mexico. Juarez is the second youngest member of the 2022 Grizzlies roster and is ranked as the Rockies #27 overall prospect. Last season, he split time between DSL Colorado and ACL Rockies (both rookie ball). Juarez started the year with DSL Colorado, going 2-0 with a robust 0.68 ERA. That ERA was the second-best in DSL Rockies history behind Jeffri Ocando's mark (0.39) in 2016. That same year (2016), Juarez was playing for Team Mexico in the Little League World Series. You can read more about Juarez on Page 2.

JUAREZ WINS PITCHER OF THE WEEK: Fresno Grizzlies pitcher Victor Juarez was named by Minor League Baseball as the California League Pitcher of the Week for August 1-7. Juarez's impressive start on Thursday, August 4 versus San Jose helped the Grizzlies earn a crucial series win over the Giants. The Rockies #27 overall prospect was nearly untouchable over a career-high six scoreless innings, relishing his fifth win of the season. Juarez faced one over the minimum, allowing two hits and one walk while fanning seven. The righty's seven strikeouts also knotted a career-best. Of those seven strikeouts, six of them were swinging. The 19-year-old from Mexico becomes the second Grizzlies player (Hunter Goodman) and first pitcher to earn multiple California League weekly honors (May 16 - 22). Juarez is also one of seven 2022 Grizzlies players to be awarded a weekly honor (Adael Amador, Goodman (2), Mason Green, Yanquiel Fernandez, Brayan Castillo, Juan Brito). Fresno also swept California League monthly awards for June (Goodman and McCade Brown).

WHY DO WE KEEP SEEING YOU: Inland Empire outfielder BJ Boyd became the third opposing player to face Fresno at both the Triple-A and Single-A levels. He joins San Jose pitchers Scott Alexander and JJ Santa Cruz to relish this feat.

WEAR THE BEAR: Red (13-16), Beige (8-4), Black & Gold (11-2), Gray (22-17), Specialty Promo (1-2), Fresno Tacos (3-0), Lowriders de Fresno (Copa de la Diversion, 4-0), Fresno Growers (1-0), Fresno Tigers (0-1), Red Pants (2-2).

CONGRATS RODNEY LINARES: Former Fresno Grizzlies manager and current Tampa Bay Rays third base coach Rodney Linares will manage the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic. Linares was at the helm for the Grizzlies in 2018, leading the squad to an 82-57 record and earning a playoff berth. That mark is the second best winning percentage in Grizzlies franchise history, behind last year's team (74-41).

BUSTER BOBBLEHEAD: The Grizzlies announced earlier this month that the organization will honor Buster Posey's retirement from professional baseball with an exclusive bobblehead giveaway on Saturday, September 3. This giveaway, presented by Healthy Fresno County, will be the organization's fourth time producing a bobblehead for the San Francisco Giants legend and can be picked up by being one of the first 3,000 fans in attendance at the game. Prior to starting his illustrious Giants career, Buster Posey spent parts of two seasons in a Fresno Grizzlies uniform. Posey played 82 games with Fresno, batting .337 with a .535 slugging percentage and .956 OPS. He blasted 11 homers and drove in 54 runs over those 82 games before making the Bay Area his permanent home. Fans can purchase tickets to the September 3 game starting at $15 at FresnoGrizzlies.com, at the Chukchansi Park Ticket Office, or by calling the Grizzlies at 559-320-8497(TIXS). The team is also offering a limited number of Buster Posey Tribute ticket packages. Purchasing this bundle will guarantee a bobblehead and also includes tickets to two Friday Night Fireworks games and the Buster Posey Bobblehead Giveaway game (September 3) for only $37, a nod to Posey's .337 batting average with the Grizzlies. This special 3-game package can be purchased at FresnoGrizzlies.com/Offers.

NEW RULES IN 2022: Major League Baseball announced in March that experimental rules will expand in the California League for the 2022 season. The following rules include the return of the pitch clock and pickoff limits. Pitchers must deliver a pitch within 14 seconds with the bases empty and 18 seconds with runners on base. Hitters must be in the batter's box and be alert to the pitcher with nine seconds left. Pitchers will also be limited to two pickoff attempts or step-offs per plate appearance; any more without retiring the baserunner will effectively function as a balk. The league also added larger bases, increasing the size from 15 to 18 inches, a rule in place at Triple-A during the 2021 season. The increase is aimed to provide more room for players to operate around the bases, while modestly shrinking the distance between bases themselves. Additionally, the larger bases are composed of material that is expected to perform better in wetter conditions. Finally, teams must have a minimum of four defensive players on the infield when a pitch is delivered, with at least two infielders on either side of second base. The penalty for violation is an automatic ball, but if the hitter swings and gets a better outcome, the offensive team can take that. Goal is to increase batting average on balls in play.

PLAYOFF BOUND IN THE "GROWL"IFORNIA LEAGUE: For the second straight season, the Fresno Grizzlies are headed back to the playoffs after a 4-2 win over the Modesto Nuts on June 22nd from Chukchansi Park. Over those two years, Fresno has clinched both times against Modesto. The Grizzlies claimed the California League Northern Division and the best first half record among the eight teams (41-25). This is the first time in Grizzlies history that the team has made the playoffs in back-to-back seasons. The last time Fresno baseball made it to the postseason in back-to-back years were the Fresno Cardinals in 1955-1956. With the California League being split into two halves, the Grizzlies will not know their playoff opponent until the second half ends on September 11th. If the Grizzlies were to also win the second half, the team with the next best record in the Northern Division will play Fresno in the playoffs. The first (Grizzlies, Northern and Lake Elsinore Storm, Southern) and second half (to be determined) division winners will meet in a best-of-three game series. The winners of those series will meet for a best-of-three championship series. Similar to 2021, each Monday will be a day off in the league except for July 4th. All but two series will be six-game series this season. The break for players and coaches will be four days long from July 18th to July 21st.

AUGUST 13, 2022 @ INLAND EMPIRE 66ERS (LOS ANGELES ANGELS): SAN MANUEL STADIUM- 7:05 PM PT

RHP McCade Brown (3-4, 5.20) vs. RHP Chase Chaney (3-4, 3.05)

AUGUST 14, 2022 @ INLAND EMPIRE 66ERS (LOS ANGELES ANGELS): SAN MANUEL STADIUM- 5:35 PM PT

RHP Jarrod Cande (4-3, 4.01) vs. RHP Julio Goff (7-8, 5.32)

AUGUST 16, 2022 @ VISALIA RAWHIDE (ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS): VALLEY STRONG BALLPARK - 6:30 PM PT

RHP Jordy Vargas (0-0, 6.75) vs. LHP Diomede Sierra (3-4, 5.32)

AUGUST 17, 2022 @ VISALIA RAWHIDE (ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS): VALLEY STRONG BALLPARK - 6:30 PM PT

RHP Cullen Kafka (4-3, 4.76) vs. RHP Peniel Otano (2-6, 5.98)

Recent Transactions:

8/9: LHP Ryley Widell: Assigned to A+ Spokane from Fresno

8/9: RHP Jordy Vargas: Assigned to Fresno from ACL Rockies

8/2: RHP Juan Mejia: Assigned to A+ Spokane from Fresno

8/2: RHP Case Williams: Assigned to A+ Spokane from Fresno

8/2: LHP Ryley Widell: Assigned to Fresno from ACL Rockies

8/2: RHP Francis Rivera: Assigned to Fresno from ACL Rockies

Check out the Fresno Grizzlies Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



California League Stories from August 12, 2022


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central