STOCKTON, CA - Pavin Smith opening the ninth inning with a no-doubt solo home run that landed halfway up the grass berm in right-center field. The shot gave the Rawhide a 2-0 lead and, with a dominant pitching performance through the first eight frames, two runs felt like a solid
STOCKTON, CA - Pavin Smith opening the ninth inning with a no-doubt solo home run that landed halfway up the grass berm in right-center field. The shot gave the Rawhide a 2-0 lead and, with a dominant pitching performance through the first eight frames, two runs felt like a solid cushion.
But Stockton (10-6) surged back against Josh Taylor, scoring two runs on four hits in the bottom of the ninth to force extra innings. Taylor was able to gut his way through the remainder of the ninth and strand the winning run on third, but the damage was done.
Despite starting the tenth inning with Raymel Flores on second Visalia (9-7) failed to score a run off of Boomer Biegalski (W, 1-0). Therefore the Ports would begin the bottom of the tenth with the winning run on second.
It didn't take long for Stockton to cash in: Kevin Merrel led off against Miguel Aguilar (L, 0-1) and put his third down the first base line for a walkoff single to send the Ports to a 3-2 win.
Visalia received another outstanding start from Sam McWilliams, who tossed five shutout innings while scattering three hits. He struck out six Ports hitters and walked two. McWilliams got stronger as the game got on and the side in order in the fifth with a pair of strikeouts. He has now thrown 14 consecutive scoreless innings.
The Rawhide offense boiled down to two swings of the bat: a solo home run by Camden Duzenack on the first pitch of the game and Smith's shot in the ninth. Visalia had chances to score in every inning except the fifth and eighth. But they went hitless in nine at bats with runners in scoring position and stranded eight men on base, six of whom were in scoring position.
Dominic Miroglio also added three hits for the Visalia offense, his fourth consecutive multi-hit game.
Austin Mason delivered two shutout innings of relief for the Rawhide, striking out three, and Tommy Eveld followed with a perfect eighth. Taylor suffered his first blown save of the year.
The series in Stockton continues tomorrow when the Rawhide will send Arizona Diamondbacks RHP Bo Takahashi (1-0, 1.20) to the bump against Stockton LHP Zack Erwin (1-0, 0.69). First pitch is at 7:10 PM and the live radio broadcast will be available on rawhidebaseball.com.
The Visalia Rawhide are a professional baseball team in the Class A Advanced California League and are the only professional sports team in Tulare and Kings counties. The team has been an affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks since 2007 and is entering their 72nd year of play in 2018. The Rawhide renovated their home at Recreation Ballpark in 2009 and have since become the largest gathering of individuals in Tulare County, having set an attendance record for the seventh time in the past eight seasons in 2017. In 2018, the Rawhide look to continue their reputation for hosting competitive baseball while providing affordable family entertainment. To be a part of the 2018 Visalia Rawhide season, please contact the Visalia Rawhide Ticket Office at 559.732.4433, visit us online at rawhidebaseball.com, or follow us on Facebook (TheRawhide), Instagram (@VisaliaRawhide), and Twitter (@VisaliaRawhide).
