Fresno Grizzlies Game Notes at Stockton
July 1, 2022 - California League (CalL)
Fresno Grizzlies News Release
The Grizzlies and Ports continue their six-game series tonight. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 pm PT from Banner Island Ballpark. Grizzlies RHP Brayan Castillo and Ports RHP Kyle Virbitsky are the probable starters. I have attached the roster/game notes.
STOCK-PILING SOME FACTS: The Fresno Grizzlies and Stockton Ports (Athletics Single-A affiliate) continue their six-game series tonight at Banner Island Ballpark. This is the fourth series between the clubs in 2022 and the second meeting in Stockton. One name on Stockton's coaching staff that may seem familiar to Fresno fans is hitting coach Kevin Kouzmanoff, who played seven MLB seasons and played against Fresno from 2011-2014. The Ports are managed by Franklin Font, who was initially tabbed to be the assistant hitting coach. Font will continue his managerial career at the helm in Stockton, coming back to the states from France where he served as the manager for the Aigles of France in 2021, an independent team of the ESBL (European Super League of Professional Baseball). He was a part of the Chicago Cubs organization for over 10 years where he started as a development manager and minor league rover instructor in 2008 before being promoted to the major league staff as the assistant hitting coach in 2012 and ultimately a staff assistant from 2013-2020. Finally, Stockton broadcaster Alex Jensen coached Grizzlies righty Cullen Kafka when he played JV baseball at De La Salle High School.
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.
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.
STATEMENT AGAINST STOCKTON: The Grizzlies have found success against the Ports over the past two seasons. Thanks to yesterday's 14-0 win, the Grizzlies improved to 16-2 (+97 run differential, 162-65) against the Ports this year, 33-9 against Stockton over the past two seasons and 20-1 at Banner Island Ballpark (99-24 run differential this year). Fresno has mashed 47 homers over their 18 affairs against Stockton this season, with four contests of five taters or more. On the other side of the ball, the Grizzlies pitching staff has struck out 160 batters over the past 14 contests against the Ports.
DON'T POKE THE BEAR: The Grizzlies lead all of Single-A in batting average (.275. +.07), hits (686, +11), total bases (1159, +45), homers (97, +11), slugging percentage (.465, +.23), OPS (.829, +.10), sacrifice bunts (13, +1), sacrifice flies (32, +4) and hit-by-pitches (73, +5). Fresno ranks first in all of minor league baseball in sacrifice flies (32) and hit-by-pitches (73, +3). The Grizzlies also rank third in MiLB in batting average (.275), third in slugging percentage (.465), third in OPS (.829), fourth in total bases (1159), fifth in hits (686) and tied for 12th in homers (97).
BEST FOR LAST: The Grizzlies nine-hole hitter (nine batters) leads all of Single-A in batting average (.282, +.07), hits (70, +1), total bases (126, +11), doubles (16, +1), homers (12, +1), slugging percentage (.508, +.57) and OPS (.875, +.49). They are tied in sacrifice bunts with four. The Grizzlies nine-hole hitter (nine batters) rank first in all of minor league baseball in slugging percentage (.508) and OPS (.875) while ranked third in MiLB in batting average (.282).
LARGEST MARGIN OF VICTORY: The Grizzlies roared past the Ports 22-2 Tuesday night from Banner Island Ballpark. Fresno's 20-run margin of victory tied the franchise record that was initially set on June 30, 2016, against the Salt Lake Bees (23-3) at Smith's Ballpark. The 22 runs ranks third in Grizzlies history and the most scored by Fresno since they became a Rockies affiliate. The Grizzlies plated a franchise-best 24 runs on August 25, 2006 versus Sacramento. Fresno's offense supplied season-highs in runs (22), hits (20), homers (6), triples (1), extra-base hits (12) and total bases (45). All 10 batters who appeared for Fresno enjoyed at least one hit with nine of them scoring at least once. Every Grizzlies starter drove in one run with five separate hitters tallying multiple RBI. Fresno relished a run in six different innings, plating five in the fifth and eight in the eighth. Those two frames have been the highest scoring innings for the Grizzlies offense this year.
SHUTOUT IN STOCKTON: McCade Brown, Tyler Ras and Felix Ramires gave the Grizzlies their third shutout victory of 2022 and their most recent goose egg since May 21 versus Rancho Cucamonga. Brown hurled a career-high six scoreless innings, allowing one hit and no walks while fanning eight. The only hit permitted by Brown was a second inning, one-out double by T.J. Schofield-Sam. Brown would go on to retire 14 of the next 15 batters with the other Port reaching via error. The righty would enjoy his first win in a Fresno uniform after 81 pitches. Ras struck out a pair of batters over two frames while Ramires punched out one in a strong ninth inning.
ALL ABOARD THE HOME RUN SHIP: After scoring 35 runs on 36 hits with 12 wallops in the first two games of the series, the Grizzlies roared for another double-digit offensive outburst. Fresno powered 14 runs on 19 hits with another four clouts. The 16 taters over a trio of contests are the most hit by the Grizzlies in a three-game span, passing the mark on July 16-18, 2017 at Las Vegas (14). In the top of the first, Fresno smacked three of their four homers. Adael Amador launched a leadoff missile, his fifth time completing that feat this season and the third instance in Stockton. Then, Hunter Goodman and Zach Kokoska crushed back-to-back dingers, the fourth occurrence of that statistic and the second of the series (back-to-back-to-back on Tuesday). That was Kokoska's third straight game going deep. The fourth and final bomb for Fresno was smoked in the third by Goodman, his second of the contest. Goodman has rocked a league-best 21 big flies. Besides the longball, the Grizzlies tallied four doubles with three of them driving in runs. Yanquiel Fernandez, Braxton Fulford and Juan Guerrero were the recipients of the RBI doubles. Ben Sems added a two-run single in the eighth. Amador finished his night with three hits and two RBI. Goodman concluded his line with four hits, three RBI and runs. Kokoska wrapped up his evening with another four-hit and run affair, bringing his average to .253. Warming Bernabel saw his nine-game hit streak come to an end despite scoring two runs. The Grizzlies have had a batter notch two homers over every game in the current series. Warming Bernabel powered two longballs on both Tuesday and Wednesday while Hunter Goodman enjoyed a pair of clouts on Thursday. On June 14th, Zach Kokoska was batting .192. He has hit safely in 12 of his last 13 games, bumping his average to .253.
TORRID START FOR TORREALBA: Grizzlies' newcomer Yorvis Torrealba is just the second Fresno batter in the Colorado Rockies era to have multi-hit games in his first two contests. The other was Isaac Collins last season. Collins did it in his first three games from May 6-8 at San Jose. On May 6th and 7th, Collins had two hits and then added three knocks on May 8th.
WEAR THE BEAR: Red (10-11), Beige (7-3), Black & Gold (8-1), Gray (17-10), Specialty Promo (1-2), Fresno Tacos (0-0), Lowriders de Fresno (Copa de la Diversion, 0-0), Fresno Growers (1-0), Fresno Tigers (0-1), Red Pants (2-2).
BRINGING THE HEAT WITH CASTILLO: The Grizzlies hand the ball tonight to righty Brayan Castillo for the 13th 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.
JULY 2, 2022 @ STOCKTON PORTS (OAKLAND ATHLETICS): BANNER ISLAND BALLPARK- 7:05 PM PT
RHP Victor Juarez (4-2, 4.30) vs RHP Mitch Myers (3-5, 4.73)
JULY 3, 2022 @ STOCKTON PORTS (OAKLAND ATHLETICS): BANNER ISLAND BALLPARK- 6:05 PM PT
LHP Mason Green (5-3, 3.01) vs RHP Grant Judkins (1-2, 6.06)
JULY 4, 2022 VS. SAN JOSE GIANTS (SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS): CHUKCHANSI PARK- 6:35 PM PT
TBA vs RHP Jarrod Cande (3-1, 2.84)
JULY 6, 2022 VS. SAN JOSE GIANTS (SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS): CHUKCHANSI PARK- 6:50 PM PT
TBA vs RHP Case Williams (6-2, 4.50)
Recent Transactions:
7/1: INF Juan Brito: Activated off IL
6/28: OF Yorvis Torrealba: Assigned to Fresno from A+ Spokane (son of former Fresno Grizzlies and Colorado Rockies catcher Yorvit Torrealba...father played with Fresno from 1998-99 and 2001...would be the first father/son duo to both play for the Fresno Grizzlies)
6/28: RHP Blake Goldsberry: Assigned to A+ Spokane from Fresno
6/28: 1B/OF Trevor Boone: Assigned to A+ Spokane from Fresno
Upcoming Promotions:
7/4 (Monday, July 4th) *Fourth Of July Extravaganza- Watch Fireworks while sitting in the outfield grass!!*
Gate Times: ALL Gates - 5:05pm
First Pitch: 6:35pm
Opponent: San Jose Giants
Promotion: Fourth of July Celebration: Food Trucks, Specialty Cocktail, Water Slides, Bounce Houses, Splash Park, 4th of July Team Store Merchandise & More!
*Reminder- There is NO game on Tuesday for this homestand.
7/6 (Wednesday, July 6th)
First Pitch: 6:50pm
Opponent: San Jose Giants
Other Details: Splash Park, Bounce Houses, EVERYONE runs the bases post-game & More!
7/7 (Thursday, July 7th) Tioga Thursday's
First Pitch: 6:50pm
Opponent: San Jose Giants
Promotion: Two 19.2oz Tioga Beers for just $10!
Other Details: Splash Park, Bounce Houses, EVERYONE runs the bases post-game & More!
7/8 (Friday, July 8th)- Lowriders de Fresno, Copa de la Diversion & Fireworks!
First Pitch: 6:50pm
Opponent: San Jose Giants
Promotion: Low Riders Weekend, team taking field in special game-worn jerseys that can be found in team store! Post-Game Fireworks presented by Hertz Rent-A-Car.
Other Details: Splash Park open, Bounce Houses, EVERYONE runs the bases post-game & More!
7/9 (Saturday, July 9th)- Lowriders de Fresno, Copa de la Diversion
First Pitch: 6:50pm
Opponent: San Jose Giants
Promotion: Low Riders Weekend, team taking field in special game-worn jerseys that can be found in team store!
Other Details: Splash Park, Bounce Houses, EVERYONE runs the bases post-game & More!
7/10 (Sunday, July 10th)- Lowriders de Fresno, Copa de la Diversion, Save Mart Sundays & Kids Run The Bases w/FREE Ice Cream from Producers Dairy!
First Pitch: 5:05pm
Opponent: San Jose Giants
Promotion: Low Riders Weekend, team taking field in special game-worn jerseys that can be found in team store
Promotion: Save Mart Sundays w/ Kids Run The Bases Post-Game w/FREE Ice Cream from Producers Dairy!
Promotion: Pre-Game Catch on the Field! Play catch on the field from 4:05pm - 4:35pm, on the right field line.
Other Details: Splash Park, Bounce Houses & More!
California League Stories from July 1, 2022
- Fresno Grizzlies Game Notes at Stockton - Fresno Grizzlies
- Lonsway Twirls Gem, Giants Win 3-1 - San Jose Giants
- A Quartet of Homers Supports Brown's Sensational Start as Fresno Blanks Stockton 14-0 - Fresno Grizzlies
- A Quartet of Homers Supports Brown's Sensational Start as Fresno Blanks Stockton 14-0 - Fresno Grizzlies
- Ports Toppled by Grizzlies, Skid Continues - Stockton Ports
- Storm Lose Big to 66ers Before Fourth of July Weekend - Lake Elsinore Storm
- Late Visalia Rally Dooms Quakes - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
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