Hessler Turns in Quality Start in Series Opener
Published on May 15, 2013 under California League (CalL1)
Visalia Rawhide News Release
VISALIA - The Rawhide jumped on top of the JetHawks early and never relinquished the lead thanks to some terrific pitching from Hessler and the Rawhide bullpen, as Visalia defeated Lancaster 5-2 on Wednesday afternoon at Rawhide Ballpark.
Rawhide starter Keith Hessler (W, 2-1) bounced back from his last outing and turned in a quality start for Visalia. Hessler went 6.0 innings, giving up just two earned runs on five hits while striking out three and walking one.
The Rawhide got things started in the bottom of the 1st inning thanks to an RBI-single from pinch-hitter Raul Navarro which scored Major League rehabber Adam Eaton. Gerson Montilla had leave the game after catching a foul ball in the mouth. After an RBI-groundout from Ryan Court, the Rawhide led 2-0 after one inning.
Eaton led off the next inning with a double to right off Chris Devenski (L, 3-2) and would score on another RBI-single from Navarro, extending the Rawhide lead to 3-0.
Ryan Court hit his third home run of the season for the Rawhide in the bottom of the 3rd inning. He was promoted from Low-A South Bend on May 7th after a terrific start there, and that momentum has clearly carried over to Visalia.
The JetHawks were able to get to Hessler in the top of the 5th inning, scattering three hits and a sacrifice fly to put up a pair of runs. Hessler did a nice job of limiting the damage, getting the dangerous Nolan Fontana to pop up with two runners on to end the inning.
Robert Coe, Patrick Schuster and Jake Barrett combined for 3.0 hitless innings as the Rawhide topped the JetHawks in the series opener by a score of 5-2. Barrett earned his 9th save of the season, and is now tied for the California League lead in saves.
Adam Eaton finished the day 3-for-5 with a double and three runs scored.
Game 2 of this series is scheduled for Thursday night at 7 pm. Get your tickets at the Rawhide ticket office or at RawhideBaseball.com.
California League Stories from May 15, 2013
- Giants Squeeze Past Quakes in Series-Opener - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Ports Shut Down Blaze in 2-1 Defeat - Bakersfield Blaze
- Loss in Visalia Ends Win Streak at Five - Lancaster JetHawks
- Hessler Turns in Quality Start in Series Opener - Visalia Rawhide
- Hanford Product Tyson Perez Will Pitch against Rawhide - Visalia Rawhide
- San Jose Giants on Deck: 11-Game Road Trip Begins Tonight in Rancho Cucamonga - San Jose Giants
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