Fresno Grizzlies Game Notes vs Modesto
June 22, 2022 - California League (CalL)
Fresno Grizzlies News Release
The Grizzlies and Nuts continue their six-game series tonight. First pitch is scheduled for 6:50 pm PT from Chukchansi Park. Grizzlies RHP Case Williams and Nuts RHP Yeury Tatiz are the probable starters.
MAGIC NUMBER IS ONE: The Grizzlies' magic number now sits at one, which means that any combination of one Fresno win or San Jose Giants loss over the next two games will clinch a Northern Division crown and playoff berth for Fresno. The Grizzlies battle the Modesto Nuts, whereas the San Jose Giants take on the Stockton Ports at Banner Island Ballpark.
HOW 2022 WILL LOOK IN THE "GROWL"IFORNIA LEAGUE: The 2022 California League regular season will be split into two halves. The first half ends on June 23rd with the second half beginning on June 24th. Four of the eight teams in the Single-A California League will make the playoffs. The first and second half 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.
MODESTO MINI FACTS: The Fresno Grizzlies and Modesto Nuts (Seattle Mariners Single-A affiliate) continue their six-game series tonight at Chukchansi Park. This is the third series between the clubs in 2022 and the second meeting in Fresno. 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.
HOME SWEET HOME: Fresno has won eight straight home games (season-long) dating back to May 29th when they defeated the Stockton Ports 7-1. The Grizzlies then swept the Visalia Rawhide from June 7th-12th and beat the Modesto Nuts 4-3 in last night's game. Fresno is now 18-3 over their past 21 home games going back to May 6th vs. the Nuts. Overall, the Grizzlies are 23-11 at Chukchansi Park, the best clip in the league.
CASE CLOSED: Tonight, the Grizzlies will hand the ball to righty Case Williams. The 20-year old is one of the returning pitchers to the Fresno staff after joining the club in the back half of the 2021 season. Williams enters his third professional season with the Colorado Rockies organization despite starting last year in the Cincinnati Reds system. In 2021, he split the season between the Daytona Tortugas (Cincinnati Reds) and Grizzlies. Williams started 2021 in Daytona, appearing in 12 games, 11 for starts. He went 2-5 with a 5.74 ERA over 47 innings. Williams was traded back to the Colorado Rockies on July 28, 2021. The Reds received RHP Mychal Givens and the Rockies got Williams and RHP Noah Davis. He was assigned to Fresno and finished the season with the Grizzlies. Williams went 1-3 with a 5.72 ERA over seven games with six going for starts. In 28.1 frames, he fanned 17 batters and had a good overall second half of the season. Read more about Case Williams' bio on Page 2.
BEST FOR LAST: Last night in the bottom of the second, nine-hole hitter Trevor Boone launched a three-run homer to center field. Boone's bomb was the eventual go-ahead and game winning hit as the Grizzlies defeated the Nuts 4-3. This season, eight different Fresno hitters have batted ninth and have all shown success at the dish. They have combined to hit a Single-A best .284 (fourth in MiLB) with 11 homers. Those eight batters have also managed a Minor League best .526 slugging percentage (.47 points higher) and .901 OPS (.47 points higher).
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 (9-9), Beige (7-2), Black & Gold (8-1), Gray (14-10), Specialty Promo (1-2), Fresno Tacos (0-0), Lowriders de Fresno (Copa de la Diversion, 0-0), Fresno Growers (1-0), Fresno Tigers (0-0), Red Pants (2-2).
JUNE 23, 2022 VS. MODESTO NUTS (SEATTLE MARINERS): CHUKCHANSI PARK- 6:50 PM PT
RHP Bryan Woo (0-0, 0.00) vs RHP McCade Brown (0-2, 5.63)
JUNE 24, 2022 VS. MODESTO NUTS (SEATTLE MARINERS): CHUKCHANSI PARK- 6:50 PM PT
RHP Michael Morales (3-5, 5.49) vs RHP Brayan Castillo (1-3, 4.33)
JUNE 25, 2022 VS. MODESTO NUTS (SEATTLE MARINERS): CHUKCHANSI PARK- 6:50 PM PT
RHP William Fleming (5-6, 5.11) vs RHP Victor Juarez (4-1, 3.36)
JUNE 26, 2022 VS. MODESTO NUTS (SEATTLE MARINERS): CHUKCHANSI PARK- 5:05 PM PT
TBD vs LHP Mason Green (5-2, 3.06)
Recent Transactions:
6/21: RHP Cullen Kafka: Activated off IL
6/16: RHP Blake Goldsberry: Assigned to Fresno from ACL Rockies
6/15: RHP Joel Condreay: Placed on IL
6/15: INF Juan Brito: Placed on IL
6/11: INF Ben Sems: Assigned to Fresno from A+ Spokane
Upcoming Promotions:
6/23 (Thursday, June 23rd) - Tioga Thursday's + Diversity & Inclusion Night, presented by Healthy Fresno County
First Pitch: 6:50pm
Opponent: Modesto Nuts
Promotion: Special night with 10 local community organizations joining together to recognize and embrace diversity and inclusion!
Promotion: Two 19.2oz Tioga Beers for just $10!
6/24 (Friday, June 24th) - Fresno Tigers Tribute & Fireworks!
First Pitch: 6:50pm
Opponent: Modesto Nuts
Promotion: Post-Game Fireworks!
Promotion: Fresno Tigers Tribute with special jerseys to be auctioned (TBD on auction details)
6/25 (Saturday, June 25th) - Health Care Worker Appreciation Night, presented by Community Medical Centers & Community Outreach Night, presented by Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino
First Pitch: 6:50pm
Opponent: Modesto Nuts
Promotion: Health Care Workers will join together to be recognized and appreciated during a great night of baseball!
Promotion: Community Outreach Night brings local community organizations together to share their messages to fans and our community!
6/26 (Sunday, June 26th) - Save Mart Sundays + Pre-Game Catch on the Field + Kids Run The Bases + FREE Ice Cream from Producers Dairy!
First Pitch: 5:05pm
Opponent: Modesto Nuts
Promotion: Save Mart Sundays w/ pre-game catch on the field (4:05pm-4:35pm) Kids Run The Bases Post-Game w/FREE Ice Cream from Producers Dairy!
California League Stories from June 22, 2022
- Rawhide Take Game One of the Two Week Road Trip - Visalia Rawhide
- Fresno Grizzlies Game Notes vs Modesto - Fresno Grizzlies
- Boone's Bomb Inches Fresno Closer to Postseason, Past Modesto 4-3 - Fresno Grizzlies
- Ports Stifled by Giants' Pitching, Drop Series Opener - Stockton Ports
- Storm Clinch With Win Over Quakes - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Lake Elsinore Storm Clinch First Playoff Berth Since 2019 - Lake Elsinore Storm
- Boone's Bomb Inches Fresno Closer to Postseason, Past Modesto 4-3 - Fresno Grizzlies
- Giants Shut Out Stockton, Extend Win Streak to Six - San Jose Giants
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