Neagle is lights out
May 1, 2003 - California League (CalL1)
Visalia Rawhide News Release
VISALIA â A rare Major League rehabilitation assignment went off with out a hitch as Colorado Rockies left hander Denny Nagle pitched four scoreless innings against the Bakersfield Blaze. However, the rest of the evening followed suit with the Oaks home schedule in April.
An electrical problem at the stadium caused the three left field light towers to go dark with no outs in the top of the eighth inning. The problem could not be corrected within a reasonable time period, so the game has been suspended with the Oaks leading 7-2 in the eighth.
Neagle quickly returned to big league form after Blaze center fielder Joey Gathright led off with a bloop single to left. The next eleven batters were retired in order. Five hitters in a row struck out against Neagle.
The second largest crowd of the season, 1,163, watched Neagle mow through the Blaze lineup until he allowed a walk to clean up hitter Aaron Clark in the fourth inning. Neagle prompted the next better, Joey Gomes to ground out to the shortstop and end the fourth inning.
A 60-pitch limit was imposed on Neagle, who may pitch in Visalia again on Tuesday when the Oaks host the San Jose Giants. If Neagle does appear in Tuesday's game he will be limited to 80 pitches. The Oaks scored two runs each in three of the first four innings. Justin Lincoln delivered a two-run double in the first, Tony Miller and Dan Conway each had RBI singles in the second and Miller hit a two run homer in the fourth.
Visalia's 6-0 lead stood until the sixth inning when Juan Salas connected for his fifth home run of the season, a two run blast of Oaks reliever Ryan Price. The seventh Oaks run scored in the bottom of the sixth inning thanks to an error and a walk that both came with two out. Doug Bernier reached on the error and crossed the plate on Brian Barre's single to left.
In the top of the eighth inning, Bakersfield has no one on base with no one out and a 1-2 count on Salas. Sean Green is the current pitcher for the Oaks.
The game will be resumed on Monday, June 2 in Bakersfield because the Oaks do not play at Visalia again until the second half. First pitch is expected to be at 7:30 and a seven-inning game will follow the completion of the suspended game.
What Gives? The Oaks had only two games postponed last season: One due to rain and the other due to a power failure. In the first month of the 2003 season there have been three rainouts and one postponement. Over $35,000 was spent on upgrades to the lighting and electrical systems at Recreation Park during the off-season. The wiring that failed was not replaced during those improvements.
On to Stockton, where you guessed it: Rain is forecast for the weekend. Below are the expected pitching match ups for the three game series against the Ports:
Visalia Stockton
Friday, 7:05 p.m. LHP Jeff Francis (1-3, 7.54 ERA) vs. RHP Domino Valdez (0-0, 4.12 ERA)
Saturday, 7:05 p.m. LHP Zack Parker (1-1, 3.68 ERA) vs. RHP John Barnett (0-2, 3.48 ERA)
Sunday, 5:05 p.m. RHP Mike Esposito (1-2, 3.95 ERA) vs. LHP Sam Narron (2-1, 3.46 ERA)
California League Stories from May 1, 2003
- Neagle is lights out - Visalia Rawhide
- Storm Broadcaster Sean McCall to Broadcast 1000th Regular Season Game Saturday - Lake Elsinore Storm
- Clark In Lead For Old Navy Home Run Hero Award - High Desert Mavericks
- JetHawks Win Third Straight - Lancaster JetHawks
- Tight one taken by Oaks - Visalia Rawhide
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