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CalL1 Visalia Rawhide

Visalia Oaks Game Notes

June 10, 2008 - California League (CalL1)
Visalia Rawhide News Release


Quick Hits:

The Oaks hit a meager .229 in the just-finished month of May, tied with Lake Elsinore for last in the Cal League. Thus far in June, the Oaks are 4-4 with a team average of .284 (19 doubles, 3 triples and 4 homers). The Oaks scored 5+ runs in every game on the road trip to Lancaster, including 3 contests of 9 runs each. The Oaks have lost their last 3 openers, and are now 5-13 in game ones. The Oaks are 11-7 in game twos, 11-7 in third games, and 4-4 in 4-game series finales. The Oaks are now 26-11 when they score 4 or more runs in a game; they're just 6-21 when they fail to reach that 4-run plateau.

Believe me, if this note weren't so astounding, we'd change it...: The Oaks begin the current homestand at 32-32. This even-keel bunch has now played 3 consecutive 4-game series, and has split all 3. Visalia has never been more than 4 games away from the .500-mark this year. They were 4 over after the season-opening sweep at Inland Empire, and were 4 under at both 7-11 and 14-18. The Oaks have won as many as 5 in a row, and lost as many as 4 straight. The Oaks are 20-19 against righthanded starters, and 12-13 against southpaws. Amazingly, Visalia kept the season record within a game of .500 from May 12th through June 4th, a span of 19 games, and the hometown bunch has not been more than 2 games away from break even since May 9th.

The New 1-2 Punch: The Oaks' reconfigured starting rotation places two of the hottest pitchers in the League back to back: Cesar Valdez and Barry Enright. Valdez is coming off a victory in Lancaster, his League-leading 9th of 2008. His ERA rests at 2.59, 3rd best in the California League. Cesar is third in strikeouts (66), and leads all pitchers with 87.0 innings of work. Over his last 6 outings, Valdez has recorded 6 consecutive quality starts, going at least 7.0 innings in 5 of the 6 and not allowing more than 2 earned runs in any one contest.

Not to be outdone, Barry Enright, the Diamondbacks second-round pick of 2007, has won his last 5 decisions. Barry started the year 1-3, sporting a rather unsightly 8.33 ERA. Beginning May 10th in San Jose, however, Barry has gone 5-0 in 6 starts, allowing just 6 earned runs in 38.0 innings (1.42 ERA), and lowering his season ERA by almost 4 full runs. His five wins have all come against Northern Division opponents, defeating Modesto, San Jose twice, and Bakersfield twice.

Last Night: The Oaks jumped out to a 9-0 lead after 3 innings and held on for a 9-7 victory to split their 4-game series in Lancaster.  Cesar Valdez (9-3) was solid once again, allowing just 2 earned runs in 6 innings in one of the most hitter-friendly ballparks in professional baseball. Joey Side and Tyler Jones hit 2-run homers and JoJo Batten also delivered a 2-run double to chase JetHawks starter Tony Bajoczky. The Oaks looked to make it an early laugher, but the offense was shut down over the final 6 frames by the Lancaster bullpen. The game became interesting in the last 2 innings, as the Hawks scored 4 runs off Josh Ellis and another unearned tally against Chad Beck, who held on for his first save of the season.

Now Pitching: Barry Enright takes the ball for Visalia tonight.  Enright, a 6'3" 220-pound right-hander, has won his last 4 starts, and is 5-0 in his last 6 outings. He last pitched on June 5th, when he surrendered just 2 unearned runs and 3 hits over 8 innings to lead the Oaks to a thrilling win over the San Jose Giants.  The Pepperdine product has struck out 53 and walked only 15 this season; he has also been tough on right-handed hitters, who are batting just .242 against him.  Modesto counters with Todd Ritchie, a 6'3" 205-lb righty from Portsmouth, VA. Ritchie is making his 1st start and 2nd appearance overall for the Nuts. He threw 2 scoreless innings against Stockton last Friday. Ritchie is a veteran journeyman and former Major Leaguer; he compiled a 43-54 record over 8 big league seasons from 1997-2004 with the Twins, Pirates, White Sox, Brewers, and Devil Rays. His best year was 1999, when he won 15 games for Pittsburgh. He was also the Pirates' Opening Day starter in 2001, throwing the first ever competitive pitch at PNC Park.

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