Opening Day Recap: California League
By Drew Balen
The California League’s Opening Day had some highly touted prospects on display. Here is a recap of Thursday’s games.
Inland Empire 66ers 6 – Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 5 (11 Innings)
Game Recap: Top Dodgers prospect Zach Lee started the game for the Quakes and allowed 1 hit with 5 SO over 5 innings of work. Veteran Major Leaguer Jerome Williams pitched 5 innings for the 66ers, as he is currently on a rehab assignment from the Angels. Quakes 2B C.J. Retherford had 2 RBI in the loss. Both 66ers CF Travis Witherspoon and Quakes DH Nick Adkins hit solo homeruns in the game.
Prospect Performances: The Quakes lineup featured RF Jonathan Garcia (1-5). 66ers 1B C.J. Cron (0-5), 2B Taylor Lindsey (2-5, 1 RBI), and RF Randal Grichuk (0-5) are top prospects of the Angels.
Player of the Game: Andrew Heid, LF, Inland Empire 3-5 with 2 runs, 1 2B
Lancaster JetHawks 7 – High Desert Mavericks 9
Game Recap: Lefthander Anthony Fernandez started for the Mavericks and allowed 3 runs over 5 innings of work. David Martinez took the mound for the JetHawks and struggled as he allowed 6 runs in 4 innings. The Mavericks 2B Stefen Romero and SS Brad Miller each hit a 2-run homer and finished the game with 3 RBI.
Prospect Performances: Astros prospects, SS Jiovanni Mier (0-4), LF Telvin Nash (2-4, HR), and Domingo Santana (0-4) played in the game for the JetHawks. Notable Mariners prospects in the game included Miller and DH John Hicks (2-3).
Player of the Game: George Springer, CF, Lancaster JetHawks, 2-4, HR, 5 RBI
San Jose Giants 4 – Modesto Nuts 3
Game Recap: RHP Shawn Sanford started the game for the Giants, he pitched six scoreless, while allowing 3 hits in his 6 innings of work to record the victory. Closer Stephen Harrold struggled in the 9th as he allowed 2 runs on 3 hits, but still managed to pick up the save. The Modesto starter was LHP Tyler Matzek who was the 11th overall selection by the Rockies in 2009. Matzek recorded 7 SO and 3 BB in his 4.2 innings of work, he allowed 2 unearned runs in the loss.
Prospect Performances: For the Giants, C Andrew Susac (0-5), SS Joe Panik (0-2, 2 BB), 3B Adam Duvall (0-4), 1B Ricky Oropesa (1-3, RBI), RF Jarrett Parker (1-4), are all notable prospects. In the lineup for the Nuts, were SS Cristhian Adames (0-3), and RF Kyle Parker (2-4).
Player of the Game: Jared Clark, 1B, Modesto Nuts, 3-4, 3 RBI
Stockton Ports 7 – Lake Elsinore Storm 2
Game Recap: Mark Hardy started the game for the Storm and allowed 5 runs (4 earned) in the 2nd inning. Hardy pitched 6 innings and surrendered 7 hits as he picked up the loss. RHP Blake Treinen gave up 8 hits over 6.1 innings, which resulted in two runs against, as he recorded the victory. Storm CF Rico Noel was 3-4 with an RBI in the loss.
Prospect Performances: Storm 2B Cory Spangenberg (1-5) and RF Rymer Liriano (0-4) are currently viewed as two of the top Padre prospects. Notable Athletic prospects that played in the game for the Ports included: 1B Miles Head (1-5, RBI), and C Max Stassi (1-4).
Player of the Game: Josh Whitaker, DH, Stockton Ports, 2-4, HR, RBI
Visalia Rawhide 1 – Bakersfield Blaze 3
Game Recap: LHP David Holmberg started the game for Visalia, he allowed 2 runs on 4 hits over 6 innings in a losing effort. The Blaze sent Daniel Renken to the hill and he did not disappoint as he allowed 1 run (unearned) on 5 hits, while striking out 5 in his 5 innings of work to record the win. Blaze SS Billy Hamilton hit a two-run homer in the 3rd, which is all was needed on this night.
Prospect Performances: Notable Diamondback prospects that played for Visalia included: CF Keon Broxton (0-5), SS Chris Owings (1-4), and LF Bobby Borchering (1-3). Besides Hamilton the Blaze lineup also featured: RF Yorman Rodriguez (1-3), 3B David Vidal (0-3), and C Tucker Barnhart (0-3), who are all notable Reds prospects.
Player of the Game: Billy Hamilton, SS, Bakersfield Blaze, 1-3, HR, 2 RBI
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