CalL Fresno Grizzlies

Fresno Grizzlies Game Notes vs Modesto

Published on June 23, 2022 under California League (CalL)
Fresno Grizzlies News Release


Thank you for all the coverage so far and we can't wait to see you at the ballpark for the rest of this season! Our promotions for this week are below!

The Grizzlies and Nuts continue their six-game series tonight. First pitch is scheduled for 6:50 pm PT from Chukchansi Park. Grizzlies RHP McCade Brown and Nuts RHP Bryan Woo are the probable starters. I have attached the roster/game notes.

Tonight's promotion:

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!

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 Wednesday night from Chukchansi Park. The Grizzlies claimed the California League Northern Division and the best first half record among the eight teams. 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.

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 nine 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 in back-to-back contests. Fresno is now 19-3 over their past 22 home games going back to May 6th vs. the Nuts. Overall, the Grizzlies are 24-11 at Chukchansi Park, the best clip in the league.

FROM HOOSIER TO BEAR: Tonight, the Grizzlies will hand the ball to Rockies #29 prospect McCade Brown, who will make his eighth start in a Fresno uniform. The 2021 3rd-round draft pick joined the Grizzlies rotation on May 2nd after spending the first month of 2022 down in the Rockies Arizona complex. Brown started his professional career last summer with the ACL Rockies (rookie ball), appearing in four games (three starts). He hurled eight innings, allowing seven runs (six earned) while striking out nine. Brown was selected by the Rockies in the 3rd round of the 2021 MLB June Amateur Draft out of Indiana University. He spent three years with the Hoosiers and anchored the rotation for the first time in his final season. Brown made 12 starts and had a 5-4 record with a 3.39 ERA. He was an important piece of an Indiana pitching staff that finished No. 3 in the country in ERA and now looks to continue his success with the Grizzlies. Read more about Brown on Page 2.

BEST FOR LAST: Tuesday 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 .280 (sixth in MiLB) with 11 homers. Those eight batters have also managed a Minor League best .518 slugging percentage (.33 points higher) and .888 OPS (.30 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 (10-9), 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 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)

JUNE 28, 2022 @ STOCKTON PORTS (OAKLAND ATHLETICS): BANNER ISLAND BALLPARK- 7:05 PM PT

RHP Jarrod Cande (2-1, 2.73) vs TBD

Recent Transaction:

6/21: RHP Cullen Kafka: Activated off IL

Upcoming Promotions:

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!

Check out the Fresno Grizzlies Statistics

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California League Stories from June 23, 2022


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