CalL Fresno Grizzlies

Fresno Grizzlies Game Notes vs San Jose

Published on August 5, 2022 under California League (CalL)
Fresno Grizzlies News Release


The Grizzlies and Giants continue their six-game series tonight. First pitch is scheduled for 6:50 pm PT from Chukchansi Park. Grizzlies LHP Ryley Widell and Giants RHP Eric Silva are the probable starters. I have attached the roster/game notes.

Today's Promotion:

8/5 (Friday, August 5th)- Military Appreciation Night & Fireworks!

First Pitch: 6:50pm

Opponent: San Jose Giants

Promotion: Military Appreciation Night presented by Columbia Sportswear, with post-game fireworks.

Other Details: Splash Park open, Bounce Houses, EVERYONE runs the bases post-game & More!

GIANT AMOUNT OF MATCHUPS: The Fresno Grizzlies and San Jose Giants (San Francisco Giants Single-A affiliate) continue their six-game series tonight at Chukchansi Park. This is the fourth series between the clubs in 2022 and the second meeting in Fresno. This season, the two clubs play 30 times against one another with 18 of those contests being held in San Jose. Last season, the two squads faced each other 33 total times with three of those games being held in the playoffs.

FROM FRIEND TO FOE: The San Jose Giants coaching staff have a few names that the Central Valley may recognize. Giants pitching coach Dan Runzler was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the 9th round of the 2007 MLB June Amateur Draft. He would play for the Grizzlies from 2009-2014, appearing in 144 games. Runzler would then end up pitching in the major leagues for parts of five seasons (Giants 2009-2012, Pirates 2017) before playing overseas and in independent ball. Over 97 big league games, he had a 4-2 record with a 3.89 ERA, 82 strikeouts. 46 walks and 72 hits allowed in 76.1 innings pitched. The other coach and former Grizzlies player fans may remember is Giants hitting coach Travis Ishikawa. He was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the 21st round of the 2002 Major League Baseball Draft out of Federal Way HS in Washington. Ishikawa would play eight Major League seasons starting in 2006 and ending in 2015 with time spent in San Francisco (2006, 2008-2010, 2014-2015), Milwaukee (2012), Baltimore (2013), New York AL (2013) and Pittsburgh (2014-15). Ishikawa would also don a Grizzlies uniform in 2008, 2011 and 2014, playing in 175 games. In 2008, Ishikawa would bat .310 with a 1.107 OPS over 48 games, one of the best stretches by any Fresno hitter.

JIGSAW JUAREZ PUZZLES GIANTS: Rockies #27 prospect Victor Juarez (5-4, win) stymied the San Jose offense Thursday night for six shutout innings, tying a career-high. Juarez faced one over the minimum, allowing two hits and one walk while fanning seven. His seven strikeouts also knotted a career-best.

DON'T POKE THE BEAR: The Grizzlies are first in all of Minor League Baseball with 98 hit-by-pitches (Great Lakes and Modesto, 91). They also rank second with 211 doubles (El Paso, 229), third with an .831 OPS, third with a .463 slugging percentage, third with 1,595 total bases, third with 956 hits, tied for third with a .278 batting average, tied for third with a .368 OBP, fourth with 661 runs, fifth with 575 RBI, tied for seventh with 37 sacrifice flies and 14th with 148 stolen bases.

RECORD WATCH: A pair of Fresno Grizzlies are inching closer to joining the Top 10 in single-season franchise records. Fresno outfielder Yanquiel Fernandez currently has 27 doubles, four shy of joining the Top 10. Jack Mayfield (2018), Nate Schierholtz (2007) and Calvin Murray (1999) each recorded 31 doubles in their respected seasons. Fernandez also has five triples, two shy of joining the Top 10. Second baseman Juan Brito currently has six triples, one shy of joining the Top 10. Preston Tucker (2017), Nate Schierholtz (2007), Jason Ellison (2004) and Calvin Murray (1999) each registered seven triples in their respected years.

WIDELL TAKES THE MOUND: Tonight's scheduled starter is lefty Ryley Widell, a 25-year old from Makawao, Hawaii (Maui). Widell makes his first start in a Fresno uniform since signing with the Rockies on April 26. The lefty was considered the top LHP in Hawaii by Perfect Game in high school before taking his talents to Washington State. He would transfer to Central Arizona JC and continue to thrive. Widell was taken in the seventh round (No. 196 overall) by the Minnesota Twins in 2017, where he spent four seasons. In 2018, he missed the entire season due to mononucleosis. After he was released in 2020, Widell would sign with the Dodgers in 2021 and converted to a reliever. He appeared in six games before being released again. Since signing with the Rockies, Widell has been building back up to a starter role.

WHY DO WE KEEP SEEING YOU: San Jose rehabber Scott Alexander became the second opposing pitcher to face Fresno at both the Triple-A and Single-A levels, joining fellow teammate JJ Santa Cruz.

STAYING PAT AT THE TRADE DEADLINE: The Rockies were the only MLB team to not make a trade at the trade deadline. A couple former Fresno Grizzlies were also involved in trade deadline deals. Infielder J.D. Davis was traded to the Giants, infielder Ehire Adrianza and outfielder Robbie Grossman were dealt to the Braves in separate deals.

CONGRATS RODNEY LINARES: Former Fresno Grizzlies manager and current Tampa Bay Rays third base coach Rodney Linares will manage the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic. Linares was at the helm for the Grizzlies in 2018, leading the squad to an 82-57 record and earning a playoff berth. That mark is the second best winning percentage in Grizzlies franchise history, behind last year's team (74-41).

WEAR THE BEAR: Red (12-16), Beige (8-3), Black & Gold (10-2), Gray (19-17), Specialty Promo (1-2), Fresno Tacos (3-0), Lowriders de Fresno (Copa de la Diversion, 4-0), Fresno Growers (1-0), Fresno Tigers (0-1), Red Pants (2-2).

BACK2SCHOOL NIGHT: The Fresno Grizzlies and CalViva Health are joining forces to host a special "Back2School Night" on Saturday, August 6 at Chukchansi Park. During the Grizzlies game against the San Jose Giants, more than 2,000 backpacks filled with school supplies will be given away to promote school readiness. The night will also focus on promoting well-child visits, so kids get a head start on staying healthy this school year. In partnership with the Grizzlies, CalViva Health was able to distribute 2,000 vouchers to local nonprofits, ensuring that kids in most need of backpacks and school supplies are present at the game. The first 2,000 children in attendance at the game are eligible to receive a free backpack, while supplies last. Chukchansi Park gates open at 5:50 PM and the game starts at 6:50 PM.

BUSTER BOBBLEHEAD: The Grizzlies announced earlier this month that the organization will honor Buster Posey's retirement from professional baseball with an exclusive bobblehead giveaway on Saturday, September 3. This giveaway, presented by Healthy Fresno County, will be the organization's fourth time producing a bobblehead for the San Francisco Giants legend and can be picked up by being one of the first 3,000 fans in attendance at the game. Prior to starting his illustrious Giants career, Buster Posey spent parts of two seasons in a Fresno Grizzlies uniform. Posey played 82 games with Fresno, batting .337 with a .535 slugging percentage and .956 OPS. He blasted 11 homers and drove in 54 runs over those 82 games before making the Bay Area his permanent home. Fans can purchase tickets to the September 3 game starting at $15 at FresnoGrizzlies.com, at the Chukchansi Park Ticket Office, or by calling the Grizzlies at 559-320-8497(TIXS). The team is also offering a limited number of Buster Posey Tribute ticket packages. Purchasing this bundle will guarantee a bobblehead and also includes tickets to two Friday Night Fireworks games and the Buster Posey Bobblehead Giveaway game (September 3) for only $37, a nod to Posey's .337 batting average with the Grizzlies. This special 3-game package can be purchased at FresnoGrizzlies.com/Offers.

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.

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.

AUGUST 6, 2022 VS. SAN JOSE GIANTS (SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS): CHUKCHANSI PARK- 6:50 PM PT

RHP Nick Sinacola (5-5, 3.20) vs. RHP McCade Brown (3-4, 4.91)

AUGUST 7, 2022 VS. SAN JOSE GIANTS (SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS): CHUKCHANSI PARK- 5:05 PM PT

LHP Matt Mikulski (4-3, 5.85) vs. RHP Jarrod Cande (4-3, 4.27)

AUGUST 9, 2022 @ INLAND EMPIRE 66ERS (LOS ANGELES ANGELS): SAN MANUEL STADIUM- 7:05 PM PT

RHP Cullen Kafka (4-3, 4.71) vs. TBA

AUGUST 10, 2022 @ INLAND EMPIRE 66ERS (LOS ANGELES ANGELS): SAN MANUEL STADIUM- 7:05 PM PT

RHP Brayan Castillo (1-4, 6.05) vs. TBA

Recent Transactions:

8/2: RHP Juan Mejia: Assigned to A+ Spokane from Fresno

8/2: RHP Case Williams: Assigned to A+ Spokane from Fresno

8/2: LHP Ryley Widell: Assigned to Fresno from ACL Rockies

8/2: RHP Francis Rivera: Assigned to Fresno from ACL Rockies

Upcoming Promotions:

8/6 (Saturday, August 6th)- Back 2 School Night & Beautify Fresno Night!

First Pitch: 6:50pm

Opponent: San Jose Giants

Promotion: Back to School Night, presented by CalViva Health. 2,000 Stuffed Backpacks Given Away at the gates! Kid must be present to receive backpack. Back helmets to be given away courtesy of the CHP to kids. Kid must be present, while supplies last.

Other Details: Splash Park, Bounce Houses, EVERYONE runs the bases post-game & More!

8/7 (Sunday, August 7th)- Chukchansi Heritage Night, Save Mart Sundays & Kids Run The Bases w/FREE Ice Cream from Producers Dairy!

First Pitch: 5:05pm

Opponent: San Jose Giants

Promotion: Chukchansi Heritage Night with informational booths lining the concourse!

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!

Check out the Fresno Grizzlies Statistics

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California League Stories from August 5, 2022


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