Helfrick Homers Again, Rawhide Drop Seesaw Thriller to Grizzlies

Fresno, CA – Ryder Helfrick homered for a second straight game to start his pro career but the Visalia Rawhide (41-64, 13-26) fell 4-3 to the Fresno Grizzlies (59-46, 23-16) on Thursday evening at Chukchansi Park.

Helfrick, the 15th overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft, bashed a go-ahead two run homer over the left field wall in the sixth inning. Through two professional games Helfrick has four hits, two home runs, three RBI and three runs. Both of Helfrick’s home runs have been go-ahead homers.

Fresno answered in the bottom of the sixth with a go-ahead two run homer and Visalia could not find a rally in the final three frames.

The teams traded runs early. The Rawhide took the lead in the top of the second. Helfrick walked and Eliesbert Alejos scored him on an RBI double that bounced off the Grizzlies’ centerfielder’s glove.

Fresno tied the game in the bottom of the second with an RBI groundout.

The Grizzlies took a 3-2 lead in the third on a triple and RBI single before Helfrick’s heroics gave Visalia a brief lead in the top of the sixth.

Daury Vasquez made the start for Visalia pitching four innings allowing just three hits and two runs with two strikeouts. Erick Reynoso and Juan Ledezma each pitched a scoreless inning for the Rawhide bullpen.

Tytus Cissell led the Rawhide with two hits and has four hits in the series.

Fresno wins the Highway 99 Rivalry Series in 2026 with their 13th win of the season over Visalia. The Grizzlies take a two games to one series lead in this week’s series.

Game four of the series in Fresno is slated for a 7:05 PM first pitch on Friday at Chukchansi Park. Fans can listen to the whole series for free on the Rawhide Broadcast Network via the Rawhide’s website.

The Rawhide return to Valley Strong Ballpark on Tuesday, August 18 to open a six game series with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes.

All Rawhide tickets are available through the team’s website and at the stadium box office from 10 AM to 4 PM on weekday gamedays.

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The Visalia Rawhide are the Single-A Affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks playing professional baseball in the Central Valley since 1946. The Rawhide's 2026 theme is "Savor the Season" as the team transforms into the Central Valley Sir Loins on Saturday gamedays.   

Stay up to date with the Rawhide on the team’s website and by following the Rawhide on Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok and X. The Rawhide play all home games at Valley Strong Ballpark located at 300 N Giddings Street Visalia, CA 93291.

Fans can purchase season ticket packages, group ticket plans, single game tickets and team merchandise through the Rawhide website and at the stadium ticket office sponsored by Kaweah Health. All Rawhide games can be watched on MLB.TV and the Bally Sports Live App with a free radio broadcast also available online. Select home games will be aired on KNXT MyTV53. For more information, visit milb.com/visalia, email [email protected] or call (559) 732-4433.