7 Run 2nd Inning All Visalia Needs as Rawhide ‘Quell’ the Storm

VISALIA, CA-Visalia was able to take down their South Division rivals the Lake Elsinore storm on Saturday night, doing so almost exclusively off the explosion of runs that took place in the bottom of the 2nd inning. All seven of the team’s runs and all four of their hits came in the inning off of semi-starter Nick Thwaits who replaced the actual starter, Julio Lugo, in the 2nd as Lugo was rehabbing and on a pitch count.

The fun started with Caleb Roberts, who hit a ground ball single that eventually got him to second base thanks to a Storm throwing error that also got Deyvison De Los Santos to third after he was walked to begin the inning. After a Mason Berne strikeout and Shane Muntz walk loaded the bases, Glenallen Hill came up to the plate and he was able to walk on a full count scoring De Los Santos and keeping the bases loaded.

It was SP Chen’s turn to bat next and the inconsistent, yet fan-favorite infielder launched a shot into left field that looked like it might go all the way over the wall but was caught while still reaching far enough for Caleb Roberts to reach home plate and for Chen to pick up the RBI on a sacrifice fly.

Next was Ryan Bliss who doubled into left field and scored both Muntz and Hill. Wilderd Patino followed that up with a single of his own. The final runs of the inning, and game, for the Rawhide came courtesy of slugger Neyfy Castillo who added onto his league leading homerun total with his 20th of the year, scoring himself, Bliss and Patino to put Visalia up 7-1. Castillo now has 20 HR and 23 SB on the season.

Visalia used a bevy of pitchers on Saturday night beginning with starter and still relative newcomer Luke Albright. He pitched the games first five innings and tallied four strikeouts while giving up only three runs and three hits, keeping his ERA at a respectable and team leading 3.63.

Next two up were Bryan Castillo and Jose Alcantara who combined for two innings, three hits and zero earned runs given up and two strikeouts. Following them was Hugh Fisher who had the unenviable task of trying to stop the Lake Elsinore rally. He did just that by shutting down the Storm in his one inning pitched by allowing only two hits and tossing two strikeouts. Eric Mendez picked up his second save and closed the game by allowing no hits, walks or runs while tossing two strikeouts in the 9th inning.

Visalia plays it’s final home game of the season on Sunday at 1 PM pacific time.