Second Chances Cue Dramatic Rawhide Comeback
VISALIA, CA - San Jose Closer Rodolfo Martinez struggled with command out of the gates and walked two of the first three batters he faced. Trailing 5-3 in the ninth, the Rawhide had two on and one out and then Martinez threw a wild pitch to move the runners to
VISALIA, CA - San Jose Closer
In a flash, Visalia was down to their final out with the tying run back at first base. Their last hope was
Wilson, who had eight hits over the first three games of the series, fell behind with two strikes and hit a broken-bat grounder to first. Giants first baseman
But Martinez missed the bag with his foot. Wilson reached as the possible winning run and the Rawhide had a second chance.
With the bases loaded and two outs,
How about a third chance?
Once again, the Rawhide found themselves one strike away from the end of the inning. But Smith fought off a pair of tough pitches, battling to stay alive. Then he hit a grounder through the vacated left side of the infield.
Wilson scored from second with ease and the Rawhide were 6-5 walk-off winners.
Visalia (44-38/7-5) led early in the game but fell behind when the Giants hit a power surge in the middle innings. San Jose combined for three home runs, solo shots from
But the Rawhide slowly came back, plating a run in the seventh on a bases-loaded fielder's choice before the three-run rally in the ninth.
San Jose (39-43/5-7) added on when Brusa doubled against
Duzenack led Visalia hitters with three hits, a run scored, and an RBI. Pavin Smith added a pair of singles and the game-winning RBI and
Martinez (BS, L, 3-6) did not allow an earned run. Giants starter
Visalia will start RHP
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).