Middle Innings Surge Lifts Toros

VISALIA, CA - Visalia scored eight runs over the middle innings and used a strong start from newcomer Kevin McCanna to cruise to an 8-1 win over Rancho Cucamonga.

Los Toros broke through a scoreless tie in the fourth inning with a RBI groundout by Adam Walton and a run-scoring single by Raymel Flores. Visalia (18-11) added another run in the fifth when Stephen Smith doubled home Daulton Varsho.
Los Toros broke it open in the sixth inning by taking advantage of a pair of Quakes errors and plating five: two on a single by Dominic Miroglio and three on a bases-loaded double by Stephen Smith. The eight runs of offense proved to be more than enough for another strong performance from the Visalia pitching staff.
McCanna (W, 1-0) was solid in his Rawhide debut and danced his way around trouble in the first three innings. Rancho Cucamonga (12-17) had runners in scoring position and fewer than two outs in each of the first three frames and McCanna found a way to hold them off the board.
He set down seven in a row between the third and fifth innings and tied his season-high by striking out seven Quakes hitters. McCanna allowed a solo homer to Rylan Bannon in the sixth and, after walking Cody Thomas with two outs, was lifted for Kevin Ginkel.
Ginkel, Wei-Chieh Huang, and Robby Sexton combined to throw 3.1 shutout innings of relief and struck out six hitters. Huang walked a pair, but neither Ginkel nor Sexton allowed a baserunner.
Jordan Sheffield (L, 0-3) allowed three runs on eight hits over 4.2 innings of work and was lifted after Stephen Smith's double in the fifth.
Smith hit two doubles and singled in his return from the Disabled List, while driving in four and reaching on an error. Miroglio added three hits of his own for the fourth time this season.
Los Toros now hold sole possession of first place in the Cal League North Division for the first time since April 5.
Visalia will look to win their fifth straight home game tomorrow and will send RHP Riley Smith (1-1, 5.40) to the hill against Rancho Cucamonga starter RHP Tony Gonsolin (0-1, 5.49). First pitch is at 7 PM and tickets are still available on rawhidebaseball.com.