Fresno Grizzlies Game Notes at Modesto
Published on July 27, 2022 under California League (CalL)
Fresno Grizzlies News Release
The Grizzlies and Nuts continue their six-game series tonight. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 pm PT from John Thurman Field. Grizzlies RHP Brayan Castillo and Nuts RHP Michael Morales are the probable starters.
MODESTO MINI FACTS: The Fresno Grizzlies and Modesto Nuts (Seattle Mariners Single-A affiliate) continue their six-game series tonight at John Thurman Field. This is the fourth series between the clubs in 2022 and the second meeting in Modesto. Last season, the Grizzlies won 11 of their 19 matchups against the Nuts, but went 6-6 at Chukchansi Park. In 2021, the squads became part of the same league for the first time since 1988. At that time, Modesto was affiliated with the Athletics and were named the A's while the Grizzlies were known as the Fresno Suns and were independent. Now, the Nuts are associated with the Seattle Mariners organization (affiliated with the Colorado Rockies prior to Mariners) while the Grizzlies are partnered with the Rockies. The two cities are 96 miles away from one another if you drive by car, following the CA 99 route. Fresno and Modesto are one hour and 32 minutes apart, if you drive non-stop. The halfway point between both cities is Planada, California.
DON'T POKE THE BEAR: The Grizzlies rank second in all of Minor League Baseball with a .280 batting average (El Paso, .288). They also rank second with 85 hit-by-pitches (Great Lakes, 89), second with 195 doubles (El Paso, 212), third with an .834 OPS, third with a .466 slugging percentage, third with 1,474 total bases, third with 886 hits, fourth with 600 runs, fifth with a .368 OBP, tied for sixth with 35 sacrifice flies, tied for sixth with 525 RBI and 12th with 137 stolen bases.
ZACH ATTACK: Last night, designated hitter Zach Kokoska was unstoppable. Kokoska went 3-for-3 with a homer, two doubles, two RBI, one run and one walk. Kokoska's longball was the latter part of back-to-back bombs hit by him and Braxton Fulford. That was the fifth time this season that Fresno enjoyed that feat. Kokoska and the Grizzlies are back in action tonight against the Nuts.
JUAN GUERRERO IS ON FIRE: Juan Guerrero has hit safely in 21 of his past 23 contests, which includes hit streaks of nine and 12 games. In one of the two games that he did not hit safely in, Guerrero came in as a pinch-hitter. In Guerrero's current nine-game hitting streak, the outfielder is 16-for-39 (.410) with two homers, three doubles, 10 RBI, five runs, two walks and a steal. During his season-best 12-game hit streak from June 24-July 8, Guerrero went 24-for-52 (.462) with three homers, five doubles, 18 RBI, 13 runs, three walks, three steals and one hit-by-pitch.
RECORD WATCH: A couple Fresno Grizzlies are inching closer to joining the Top 10 in single-season franchise records. Fresno outfielder Yanquiel Fernandez 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. Fresno second baseman Juan Brito currently has five triples, two 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. Finally, righty Case Williams is three wins shy of joining the Top 10. Steve Hammond (2009), Matt Palmer (2007), Ryan Jensen (1999 and 2001), Chris Brock (1998) and Steve Soderstrom (1998) each recorded 11 wins in their respected seasons.
BRINGING THE HEAT WITH CASTILLO: The Grizzlies hand the ball tonight to righty Brayan Castillo for the 16th time this year. Over his first two starts of the season, Castillo did not allow an earned run while fanning eight over 9.2 innings. In his outing on June 10th vs. Visalia, Castillo was nearly untouchable over a career-high six shutout innings, earning his first win of 2022. Castillo permitted one hit and walk while fanning six. He issued a one-out walk in the third and gave up an infield single in the sixth, both courtesy of GJ Hill. Castillo finished his evening after 69 pitches (51 strikes) while facing one batter over the minimum. The 21-year old Dominican native enters his fifth professional season with the Colorado Rockies organization. At instructional ball, Castillo showed a 93-97 MPH fastball, a slider that showed more depth than tilt and a changeup in the high-80s. Read more about the righty on Page 2.
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.
WEAR THE BEAR: Red (12-14), Beige (7-3), Black & Gold (9-1), Gray (19-15), Specialty Promo (1-2), Fresno Tacos (3-0), Lowriders de Fresno (Copa de la Diversion, 3-0), Fresno Growers (1-0), Fresno Tigers (0-1), Red Pants (2-2).
JULY 28, 2022 @ MODESTO NUTS (SEATTLE MARINERS): JOHN THURMAN FIELD- 7:05 PM PT
RHP Victor Juarez (4-3, 4.85) vs. RHP Sam Carlson (0-1, 5.00)
JULY 29, 2022 @ MODESTO NUTS (SEATTLE MARINERS): JOHN THURMAN FIELD- 7:05 PM PT
RHP Case Williams (8-2, 4.30) vs. RHP Jimmy Joyce (0-0, 0.00)
JULY 30, 2022 @ MODESTO NUTS (SEATTLE MARINERS): JOHN THURMAN FIELD- 6:05 PM PT
RHP McCade Brown (3-4, 4.57) vs. RHP Joseph Hernandez (5-4, 2.86)
JULY 31, 2022 @ MODESTO NUTS (SEATTLE MARINERS): JOHN THURMAN FIELD- 6:05 PM PT
RHP Jarrod Cande (4-2, 3.08) vs. RHP Bryan Woo (0-1, 3.98)
Recent Transactions:
7/22: 1B/OF Cuba Bess: Assigned to Fresno from ACL Rockies
7/21: INF Aiverson Rodriguez: Assigned to ACL Rockies from Fresno
California League Stories from July 27, 2022
- Giants Pitching Overpowers Quakes In 6-0 Shutout - San Jose Giants
- Quakes Blanked on Wednesday Afternoon - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Fresno Grizzlies Game Notes at Modesto - Fresno Grizzlies
- Stockton Ports to Host 15th Annual Pink Night on August 6th - Stockton Ports
- Bats Explode as Ports Cruise to Victory over Storm - Stockton Ports
- Giants Score Season-High 18 Runs In Blowout Of Quakes - San Jose Giants
- Quakes Blasted in Series-Opener - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Kokoska's big evening not enough as Fresno falls 8-6 to Modesto - Fresno Grizzlies
- Storm Lose Fifth Straight Game in First Game against Ports - Lake Elsinore Storm
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