Fresno Grizzlies Game Notes vs Modesto
June 24, 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 Brayan Castillo and Nuts RHP Michael Morales are the probable starters.
Tonight's promotion:
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)
FRESNO TIGERS TRIBUTE: Tonight, the Fresno Grizzlies will transform into the Fresno Tigers in honor of the 1946 West Coast Negro League Baseball team that played under the same name. This tribute to the 1946 team will feature the organization's first time donning the newly-reimagined Tigers uniform and will celebrate Juneteenth. The evening will also include a first pitch from former-NFL player, and founder of Golden Charter Academy, Fresno-native Robert Golden. The game will be followed by Friday Night Fireworks.
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. 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.
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.
BRINGING THE HEAT WITH CASTILLO: The Grizzlies hand the ball tonight to righty Brayan Castillo for the 12th 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.
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 (10-10), 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 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
JUNE 29, 2022 @ STOCKTON PORTS (OAKLAND ATHLETICS): BANNER ISLAND BALLPARK- 7:05 PM PT
RHP Case Williams (5-2, 3.98) vs TBD
Recent Transaction:
6/21: RHP Cullen Kafka: Activated off IL
Upcoming Promotions:
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 24, 2022
- Ports Can't Slow Giants' Bats in Lopsided Defeat - Stockton Ports
- Quakes Survive Second-Half Opener - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Storm Drop First Game of Second Half to Rancho Cucamonga Quakes - Lake Elsinore Storm
- Fresno Grizzlies Game Notes vs Modesto - Fresno Grizzlies
- Stockton Ports Host Fresno Grizzlies - Stockton Ports
- Quakes Wrap First Half with Loss to Storm - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Ports Conclude First Half with 8-4 Loss to Giants - Stockton Ports
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