Fresno Grizzlies Game Notes vs Modesto
Published on May 3, 2022 under California League (CalL)
Fresno Grizzlies News Release
The Grizzlies and Nuts start a six-game series today. First pitch is scheduled for 11:05 am PT from Chukchansi Park. Grizzlies RHP Cullen Kafka and Nuts RHP William Fleming are the probable starters. I have attached the roster/game notes.
The Grizzlies are riding a 6-game win streak (longest this season) after a sweep of the Ports for the 2nd time this year.
The Grizzlies pitching staff did not allow a triple in the month of April
The Grizzlies have the highest batting average in Single-A (.284) and the fifth highest in all of Minor League Baseball
Hunter Goodman has homered in 2 straight games (Adael Amador homered in 3 straight at Stockton)
Braxton Fulford has thrown out 7 of 11 baserunners this season
Bryant Quijada has hit safely in all four games he has played
11 of 14 Grizzlies hitters are on at least a 1-game hit streak with six riding a season-long for themselves
STATEMENT AGAINST STOCKTON: The Fresno Grizzlies enjoyed their sixth straight win and second sweep of the season, outlasting the Stockton Ports 7-5 on May 1st from Banner Island Ballpark. Fresno improved to 9-0 (+48 run differential) against Stockton this year, 26-7 versus the Ports over the past two seasons and 17-1 at Banner Island Ballpark. In the six-game series, the Grizzlies tallied 75 hits with 15 of them going for homers and outscored the Ports 50-16. The Grizzlies offense have powered 23 dingers over their first nine affairs against the Ports this season, with two contests of five taters each. On top of that, Fresno posted double-digit hits in every game with a season-high 17 on April 27th. Not to be outdone, Fresno pitching struck out 65 batters over their last five contests.
MODESTO MINI FACTS: After a sweep of the Ports, the Grizzlies turn their attention to the Modesto Nuts. Fresno and Modesto will meet for the first time this season and are scheduled to face each other 30 times in 2022. Last year, the Grizzlies won 11 of their 19 matchups against the Nuts, but went 6-6 at Chukchansi Park. The last contest between the two clubs came on September 7, 2021 in Modesto, where Fresno won 11-5. The Grizzlies clinched a playoff berth that night and would go on to face the San Jose Giants in the championship. Last season, 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.
AMADOR NAMED PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Adael Amador may have just turned 19, but the Rockies #10 prospect has shown unreal ability way beyond his years. Amador was acknowledged by Minor League Baseball as the California League Player of the Week for April 25 - May 1. His impressive series in Stockton helped the Grizzlies sweep the Ports, their second sweep of 2022. During the week, Amador went 11-for-26 (.423) with four homers, two doubles, seven RBI, eight runs, and four walks over six games. Amador was a perfect 5-for-5 when leading off, clobbering two clouts, smoking a pair of doubles, scoring all six times and walking once. In the first three games of the series, Amador powered four longballs, which included two leadoff shots. Amador went deep in three consecutive contests, the most since Colin Simpson did it in four straight games last year from July 9-14, in Stockton and San Jose. Overall, Amador enjoyed a trio of multi-hit games and a pair of multi-RBI and run contests at Banner Island Ballpark. As of today, Amador ranks in the Top 10 in nine California League offensive categories. Amador ranks first in homers (6), first in total bases (51), first in hits (28), second in OPS (1.117), second in slugging percentage (.654), tied for second in extra base hits (11), fourth in batting average (.359), fourth in OBP (.463) and eighth in walks (16) among all qualified hitters.
CULLEN KAFKA GETS THE NOD: Today, the Grizzlies give the ball to righty Cullen Kafka, who looks to continue Fresno's six-game winning streak. The Walnut Creek, California native makes his fourth start of the season and his second start at home. Kafka enters his second professional season with the Colorado Rockies organization. In 2021, he started his professional career with the ACL Rockies (rookie ball), appearing in four games, all out of the bullpen. Kafka hurled five scoreless innings, allowing three hits and no walks while fanning five batters. He had a 0.60 WHIP and hitters batted .158 against the righty. Kafka was selected by the Rockies in the 9th round of the 2021 MLB June Amateur Draft out of the University of Oregon, where he ended his Ducks career fifth all-time in starts (39) and seventh in strikeouts (195). Kafka finished his four-year career 13-11 with a 4.75 ERA in 50 appearances where opponents batted .288 in 204.2 innings pitched. Read more about Kafka on Page 2.
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.
WEAR THE BEAR: Red (3-5), Beige (3-1), Black & Gold (1-0), Gray (6-2), Specialty Promo (0-0), Fresno Tacos (0-0), Lowriders de Fresno (Copa de la Diversion, 0-0), Fresno Growers (0-0), Fresno Tigers (0-0), Red Pants (0-1).
MAY 4, 2022 VS. MODESTO NUTS (SEATTLE MARINERS): CHUKCHANSI PARK- 6:50 PM PT
RHP Bryce Miller (0-0, 0.00) vs RHP Case Williams (1-1, 6.92)
MAY 5, 2022 VS. MODESTO NUTS (SEATTLE MARINERS): CHUKCHANSI PARK- 6:50 PM PT
RHP Jimmy Joyce (0-0, 0.00) vs RHP McCade Brown (0-0, 0.00)
MAY 6, 2022 VS. MODESTO NUTS (SEATTLE MARINERS): CHUKCHANSI PARK- 6:50 PM PT
RHP Joseph Hernandez (2-0, 1.89) vs RHP Brayan Castillo (0-1, 4.50)
MAY 7, 2022 VS. MODESTO NUTS (SEATTLE MARINERS): CHUKCHANSI PARK- 6:50 PM PT
RHP Michael Morales (2-1, 4.62) vs RHP Victor Juarez (1-0, 3.72)
California League Stories from May 3, 2022
- Late Lead Slips Away in 10-Inning Loss to Stockton - San Jose Giants
- Ports Walk off on Giants to Snap Skid - Stockton Ports
- Kafka tosses gem against Modesto as Fresno keeps winning - Fresno Grizzlies
- Fresno Grizzlies Game Notes vs Modesto - Fresno Grizzlies
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