'Hide Notch Come-From-Behind Victory with Homer in the Tenth
Published on April 11, 2016 under California League (CalL1)
Visalia Rawhide News Release
BAKERSFIELD, CA - The Visalia Rawhide (3-0, 3-0) completed a de-facto series sweep of the Bakersfield Blaze (0-3, 0-3) on Sunday evening at Sam Lynn Ballpark with a come-from-behind 3-1 victory in 10 innings to remain undefeated.
With one game suspended due to rain the series became a three-game set until the suspended game is resumed on June 13th but either way the Visalia Rawhide are series winners to open the 2016 campaign.
A trio of Blaze pitchers held the Rawhide off the board and allowed only three hits through the first eight innings of the ball game. Starter RHP Tyler Pike was magnificent in his season debut pitching five shutout frames. RHP Aaron Brooks fired two shutout innings followed by a zero hung by RHP Kyle Shepel.
A 0-0 ballgame into the fourth ended when Bakersfield notched a run against Visalia starter RHP Brad Keller on three singles and an RBI fielder's choice by DH Gianfranco Wawoe that scored RF Chantz Mack for the 1-0 advantage.
That lasted until the ninth with two outs. A lead-off single by SS Domingo Leyba began the inning with RHP Ramon Morla on the mound. Two quick outs followed before CF Colin Bray worked a walk to push Leyba into scoring position. 2B Henry Castillo played hero again, bouncing a single through into centerfield for the game tying RBI and we began anew at 1-1.
Bakersfield was unable to score in the home half of the ninth and for the first time the Rawhide headed to extra frames. RHP Ronald Dominguez entered in the tenth and recorded two quick outs. LF Ericson Leonora, who entered the game in the top of third as a pinch runner when LF Chuck Taylor had to exit, came up and laced a double off Dominguez. The hero of the evening then stepped in. Leyba capped his 3-for-5 evening with a two-run, go-ahead home run in the tenth to give Visalia a 3-1 lead.
The Rawhide bullpen again hunkered down and didn't allow a run over the final four innings after Keller pitched six solid innings of one-run ball. RHP Blake Perry entered and hung a zero in one inning of work with one walk and three strikeouts. He was followed by LHP Austin Wright, who on one hit, logged a shutout outing in 1.1 innings. The winner, RHP Luis Ramirez (1-0, 0.00) pitched .2 of an inning, picking up a big double play ball with the go-ahead run on base in the ninth.
After the long ball gave Visalia the two-run advantage, RHP Jimmie Sherfy (SV: 2) came in and despite issuing a walk and relinquishing a hit for the second time in a save situation, got the job done, stranding the tying runs aboard when he induced a SS Drew Jackson 4-6-3, game ending twin killing and preserved the 3-1 victory.
The Rawhide make the trek to the Silicon Valley tomorrow night to open up a three games series with the San Jose Giants, who have been postponed three consecutive nights. Visalia sends RHP Lucas Irvine (0-0, 0.00) to the mound to pitch against LHP D.J. Snelton for the Giants.
The Visalia Rawhide will officially begin their 70th consecutive season of baseball in Visalia with the home opener on Thursday, April 14th vs. Bakersfield at Recreation Ballpark with a 7:00 PM first pitch. Tickets and group packages are on sale now! Call the ticket office at 559-732-4433 or head to rawhidebaseball.com for tickets and more information!
California League Stories from April 11, 2016
- CCAA Baseball Championship Tickets Now Available - Stockton Ports
- Big Inning Lifts Ports to 4-2 Victory - Stockton Ports
- San Jose Giants on Deck: Giants Continue Homestand against Visalia - San Jose Giants
- 'Hide Notch Come-From-Behind Victory with Homer in the Tenth - Visalia Rawhide
- Bako Drops One in Extras, 3-1 - Bakersfield Blaze
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