Fresno Grizzlies Game Notes at Stockton
July 2, 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 Victor Juarez and Ports RHP Mitch Myers are the probable starters. I have attached the roster/game notes.
HAPPY 23RD BIRTHDAY TO GRIZZLIES CATCHER BRYANT QUIJADA!
Juan Guerrero has had at least 1 RBI over his last 5 games (6 game hit streak, season-long for him).
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.
FOURTH OF JULY IS AROUND THE CORNER: The Grizzlies return home on Monday with one of their biggest games of the year - the team's annual Independence Day Celebration! A Central Valley tradition like none other, the Grizzlies' July 4th game will feature a matchup between the Grizzlies and San Jose Giants, Single-A Affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. Chukchansi Park's gates will open up at 5:05pm with pregame festivities beginning at 6:35p. As always, the Grizzlies are pulling out all of the stops for their Fourth of July celebration. Fans will be able to enjoy specialty cocktails at Michelob Ultra's Fresno Social, the extremely popular Chorizo Mac & Cheese Dog, water slides in the Community Medical Centers Splash Park, and food trucks courtesy of Fresno Street Eats. After the final out is made, fans will be invited down to sit on the outfield grass and enjoy the Fourth of July Fireworks Extravaganza presented by Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino and ABC30 - the largest and most exciting fireworks display in the Central Valley. Fans can take advantage of multiple ticket offers from the Fresno Grizzlies. The organization will be hosting a pregame All-You-Can-Eat Meal in the Estrella Jalisco Cantina starting when gates open. This $40 package includes a game ticket and access to the exclusive meal area. Patrons interested in attending the July 29 Nitro Circus event and the July 4th game can purchase a ticket package for only $55. These offers and more can be found at FresnoGrizzlies.com/Offers. Single Game Tickets are also available for Monday's game starting at $15 and can be purchased at FresnoGrizzlies.com or by visiting the Chukchansi Park Ticket Office.
STATEMENT AGAINST STOCKTON: The Grizzlies have found success against the Ports over the past two seasons. Despite yesterday's 8-5 loss, the Grizzlies are still 16-3 (+94 run differential, 167-73) against the Ports this year, 33-10 against Stockton over the past two seasons and 20-2 at Banner Island Ballpark (104-32 run differential this year). Fresno has mashed 49 homers over their 19 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 168 batters over the past 15 contests against the Ports.
TIME TO GET A VICTORY WITH VICTOR: Tonight's scheduled starter is righty Victor Juarez, a 19-year old from Mexico. Juarez is the youngest member of the 2022 Grizzlies roster and is ranked as the Rockies #30 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.
ROARING ON OFFENSE: Over the first three games of the series, the Grizzlies offense scored 49 runs on 55 hits with 16 of them leaving the yard. Fresno added another five runs on 11 hits with two more homers on Friday. Eight of the 10 Grizzlies batters notched at least one hit with Juan Guerrero leading the charge. The center fielder had a trio of hits, including a three-run dinger in the ninth, his seventh of the season. Guerrero became the ninth Fresno batter to launch a clout in the series. Yanquiel Fernandez enjoyed the other longball, a solo shot in the first. It was Fernandez's third wallop over four contests and ninth of the year. Warming Bernabel achieved two hits and picked up one RBI in the loss.
ZACH ATTACK: Grizzlies outfielder Zach Kokoska has been on a tear over the past few weeks. On June 14th, Kokoska was batting .192. Since then, he has hit safely in 13 of his last 14 games, bumping his average to .253. Kokoska is currently riding a nine-game hitting streak, the longest span in his professional career. In that stretch, Kokoska is 17-for-39 (.436) with four homers, two doubles, one triple, eight RBI, 11 runs and two walks. Of those four homers, three of them have come in the current series against Stockton. Kokoska was selected in the 10th round of the 2021 draft out of Kansas State.
SHUTOUT IN STOCKTON: On Thursday, June 30, 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.
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.
WEAR THE BEAR: Red (10-11), Beige (7-3), Black & Gold (8-1), Gray (17-11), 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).
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)
JULY 7, 2022 VS. SAN JOSE GIANTS (SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS): CHUKCHANSI PARK- 6:50 PM PT
TBA vs RHP McCade Brown (1-3, 4.70)
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 2, 2022
- Fresno Grizzlies Game Notes at Stockton - Fresno Grizzlies
- Giants Drop 1-0 Pitchers' Duel To Nuts - San Jose Giants
- Lake Elsinore Storm Throw First No-Hitter in Team History - Lake Elsinore Storm
- Ports Ride Virbitsky, Longball to Snap Skid - Stockton Ports
- Fernandez and Guerrero Clobber Clouts, but Grizzlies Lose 8-5 to Ports - Fresno Grizzlies
- Diaz with Big Night in Rancho Win - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
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