Blanco’s Go-Ahead Homer Powers Rawhide over Quakes

Visalia, CA – Pedro Blanco hit a go-ahead two run homer in the eighth and the Visalia Rawhide (48-68, 20-30) won a second straight game with a 4-2 comeback win over the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (56-60, 20-30) on Wednesday night at Valley Strong Ballpark.

Visalia scored four unanswered over the game’s final four frames. Blanco played hero in a tie ballgame with two outs in the eighth by crushing a two run home run over the left field wall.

The Dominican Republic native hit his 16th home run of the season- the most for any Rawhide player in a single-season since Neyfy Castillo hit 21 homers in 2021.

Rancho Cucamonga took a 2-0 lead chipping across a run apiece in the fourth and fifth. Visalia’s comeback started in the home half of the fifth frame. Victor Santana and Tytus Cissell worked back to back walks with two outs before Brayden Dowd lined an RBI hit into center to score Santana.

Nathan Hall then tied the game in the sixth, launching a 396 foot solo home run down the left field line for his first professional hit. The D-backs’ 2025 5th round draft pick had missed over a year with injuries and was playing in just his second pro game.

In the eighth Ryder Helfrick dribbled a ball down the third base line for an infield single paving the way for Blanco’s heroics in the next at-bat.

Visalia’s pitching held Rancho Cucamonga to just two runs for a second straight night. Wilkin Paredes completed five innings allowing just one earned run with four strikeouts.

Augie Mojica earned his third win of the season with three shutout innings and three strikeouts while allowing just a hit. Teofilo Mendez pitched a perfect ninth to receive the save.

The series between the Rawhide and the Quakes continues on Thursday at Valley Strong Ballpark with Beer Fest at the ballpark presented by Salty Walrus Brewing Company. Fans can enjoy beer sampling from Salty Walrus and other local breweries including 1852 Brew Co, Crow & Wolf, Sierra Nevada and Barrelhouse Brewing Co.

In addition, the first 250 fans will receive a Rawhide beanie thanks to Mission Linen. Fans can secure a free ticket to the 4Creeks Pasture for Thursday’s game by stopping by the Rawhide Ticket Office wearing their favorite drink apparel as the week’s Party Works Dress-up Theme.

The ballgame is also a Thirsty Thursday thanks to Coors Light and Pacifico. Fans 21 and older can purchase $8 canned beers and $6 signature shooters.

All Rawhide tickets are available through the team’s website and at the stadium box office starting at 10 AM 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.