Simpson steals the show
Published on May 9, 2003 under California League (CalL1)
Visalia Rawhide News Release
VISALIA â Gerrit Simpson overshadowed two big offensive innings for the Oaks by pitching the California League's first nine-inning complete game of the season in a 12-0 rout of San Jose Simpson retired the first 17 Giants batters in the game before allowing a two-out walk on a 3-2 pitch to Justin Knoedler in the sixth inning. Simpson's next pitch was popped up by lead off hitter Ramon Soler to Oaks third baseman Justin Lincoln in four territory to end the inning. Simpson then whizzed through the Giants 1-2-3 in the seventh, but Daniel Ortmeier led off the eighth with a double to left center field.
Julian Benavidez singled two batters later, but Simpson survived the inning without allowing a run. A double play on a ground ball to second ended the inning when Ortmeier was thrown out a home trying to score from second.
Simpson did not overpower San Jose for the win. He induced 17 groundouts and recorded only two strikeouts.
Justin Lincoln and Dan Phillips each hit three run home runs for the Visalia as the offense closed out the Giants early by scoring five times in the first and seven times in the second inning. It was Phillip's first appearance since Sunday, April 27 when he re-aggravated a shoulder injury that occurred last season. Lincoln drove in four runs on the night and also had a sacrifice fly in the third. Jayson Nix singled in each of the first three innings and drove in a pair of runs with his hit in the third. The Oaks took two out of three in the series and have evened the season series at 5-5.
Giants catcher Keith Anderson pitched the final two innings for San Jose. He has now thrown a total of three shutout innings this season.
Glass Ceiling: Even though the Oaks lead 12-0 after three inning, they could not achieve a season high in runs scored. Visalia has now scored 12 runs three times. The other two occurrences were both 12-5 victories. One was at Modesto on April 7 and in the home opener on April 11 against Bakersfield.
Modesto is Next: The Athletics make their first visit of the season to Recreation Park for a three game series beginning Friday. Below are the expected pitching match ups:
Modesto Visalia
Friday, 7:05 p.m. RHP Derell McCall (2-3, 3.25 ERA) vs. LHP Jeff Francis (1-4, 7.90 ERA)
Saturday, 7:05 p.m. RHP Ben Fritz (0-4, 6.49 ERA) vs. LHP Zack Parker (2-1, 2.89 ERA)
Sunday, 1:35 p.m. RHP Jeff Bruksch (4-2, 3.58 ERA) vs. RHP Mike Esposito (1-2, 4.50 ERA)
The Radisson Hotel Visalia Pre Game Show will begin at 6:52 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and at 1:22 p.m. on Sunday.
California League Stories from May 9, 2003
- JetHawks Snap Five Game Skid - Lancaster JetHawks
- Simpson steals the show - Visalia Rawhide
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