Furious Late Rally Falls Short for Visalia in 8-7, 11 Inning Loss

VISALIA, CA- Visalia (56-41, 10-17) overcame a five run deficit, tying the game in the eighth inning against the Stockton Ports (40-58, 13-15), only to fall in 11 innings at Rawhide Ballpark 8-7 on Friday night.

In the eleventh inning, with RHP Myles Smith (1-1, 1.69) on the mound, Stockton scored twice in the frame. After Smith allowed two singles the Rawhide intentionally walked LF BJ Boyd to load the bases and set up the force out with only one out. RF Joe Bennie hit a fielder's choice, would-be double play ball where the throw from Castillo sailed wide of the bag and allowed the second run to come around and score making it an 8-6 Ports advantage. Visalia scored a run in the bottom half on a CF Zach Nehrir RBI groundout but ultimately their second rally fell short.

Stockton jumped out to a 6-1 lead after four innings and still held it heading to the seventh inning when Visalia's middle infielders 2B Henry Castillo and SS Galli Cribbs played the hero in the seventh and eighth frames to tie the game. Castillo drove in DH Grant Heyman, who doubled, in the seventh with an RBI single to make it 6-2 and then Cribbs launched his first home run in Visalia, a three run blast to make it a 6-5 Stockton lead. In the eighth 1B Marty Herum walked and after moving to second on a groundout, came around to score on an errant throw by Stockton SS Richie Martin on a ball off the bat of Castillo to tie the game 6-6.

RHP Joel Payamps made the start and relinquished all six runs (earned) in four innings of work. Two runs apiece in the first, third and fourth frames before being replaced after allowing six hits, two walks and striking out six as well.

CF James Harris once again did most of the damage, turning in another three hit night, including a two-run home run in the fourth. Bennie knocked in two while 2B Melvin Mercedes added an RBI triple in the first and Boyd an RBI groundout in the first.

Heyman doubled in the first inning to get Visalia on the scoreboard after Herum walked against Stockton's RHP Brett Graves, who turned in six-plus innings of work and allowed seven hits and four runs (earned) without walking a batter and striking out four.

RHP Jency Solis turned in two scoreless frames with three hits allowed, LHP Yuhei Nakaushiro turned in two scoreless as well, allowing two hits and LHP Gabriel Moya turned in two scoreless frames to allow Visalia to mount the comeback.

For Stockton all three of their bullpen pitchers tonight gave up a run but it was RHP Joey Wagman (4-6, 4.47) who pitched the final two innings, giving up one run on one hit, two walks and he struck out three to earn the win.

Game three of the series is tomorrow night from Rawhide Ballpark with another 7:00 p.m. first pitch. RHP Markus Solbach (0-0, 5.23) will make the start in game three for Visalia against RHP James Naile (0-0, -.--) for Stockton, who will make his California League debut. Tomorrow night is an All-American Saturday presented by Budweiser and with the purchase a $5 Boot Mug fans can purchase half-price beer and discounted soda. The Rawhide will be wearing the American Flag Jerseys and in honor of National Hot Dog Day there will be an in-game Hot Dog Eating Contest courtesy of Nathan's.

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