Sixers Get Series Split in Bizarre Finale at Visalia

Visalia, CA- The Inland Empire 66ers of San Bernardino took the finale of the a six-game set at Visalia with a 13-7 win that was marked by an avalanche of pitches and walks as the teams combined to walk 28 batters and hit two more in a 396-pitch slog. Gabe Matthews starred offensively for the Sixers (42-41) as the former University of Oregon Duck tagged a grand slam as part of a five RBI day; he has hit three homers in eight games as a professional.

Inland Empire opened the scoring against Visalia starter Junior Mieses (2-6) in the first. After he got an out on the first pitch of the game he walked the next three batters and then hit Matthews with a pitch for a RBI and a 1-0 lead. Cade Cabbiness followed with a two-run double and Jose Guzman had a RBI ground out making it 4-0 on just one hit. The Rawhide got one back when IE starter Andrew Peters (in his pro debut) gave up a one out single and then walked the next three batters making it 4-1 before being lifted in the first for righty Coleman Crow (4-1) who got out of the jam. Mieses walked the bases loaded again in the second and Matthews battled the righty before launching a grand slam to center on the tenth pitch of the plate appearance making it 8-1. The Sixers got another run in the fifth making it 9-1. Inland Empire returned the gift giving nature of the contest in the bottom of the fifth when Tim Tawa singled to open the inning for the Rawhide (21-63), five walks, a hit batter and a two-bases fielding error on a fly ball to right later, Visalia had scored six times making to 9-7. In the seventh the Sixers regained control of the game as Matthews got it rolling with a double to left, his second extra-base hit of the game and fourth time aboard. Lefthander Hugh Fisher then came out of the pen for his pro debut and walked four straight batters with recording an out for a 11-7 advantage. D’Shawn Knowles then capped the scoring with a two-run single to left for the 13-7 lead (Knowles was the only 66ers player not to draw a walk). Jeremy Arocho and Kyren Paris each had stolen bases in the win, their 22nd and 11th respectively. Despite 20 runs between the clubs, they combined for just eight hits in the game and Visalia went 0-for-12 with runners in scoring position.

The 66ers open a home series versus Rancho Cucamonga on Tuesday at 7:05 pm. The contest can be seen and heard live on 66ers.com.