Friday night might’ve been a banner night for the California League this season with most of the games being must-watches for those into minor league baseball. Or, must-listens since some of the games weren’t televised.
Mavericks run away with win
Two frames in the box score for the High Desert Mavericks, two 10’s. No, that’s not a typo.
By the bottom of the 2nd inning, the Lancaster JetHawks were trailing 20-1.
In the 30 run and 30 hit game for the Mavericks, Steven Proscia, Kevin Rivers, Anthony Phillips, Patrick Kivlehan, and Patrick Brady all hit home runs.
For the JetHawks, it was a nightmare that took three hours and 22 minutes to end. On Aug. 8, their bullpen pitched nine innings because of a comeback liner that took Brady Rodgers out of the game after 14 pitches. With a taxed bullpen and little options available, infielder Carlos Perdomo pitched the 8th. Perdomo did not walk anyone, nor strike anyone out, or give up any home runs. However, he gave up four hits and four runs — two of which were earned. Also hit two batters.
30 runs, shockingly, is not the record for most runs scored in the California League. According to the Victorville Press:
"The 30 run falls short of the California League record for most runs by one team in a game, as Fresno scored 34 against Ventura on May 23, 1947. The highest scoring game in Cal League history took place at Stater Bros. Stadium on June 28, 2009, with Lake Elsinore defeating High Desert 33-18."
Baseball.
Tanner Peters comes close to perfection in Stockton
About 364 miles north of Adelanto, Tanner Peters was hurling a gem at Stockton’s Banner Island Ballpark.
25 up, 25 down.
14 K’s.
The Ports had a perfect game on their hands against the Modesto Nuts, but it came to an end with one way in the 9th.
After retiring the last four batters he faced on strikeouts, Peters gave up a double to Jared Simon. Because Peters’ pitch count was up to 103 by the end of the 8th inning, Stockton went to their bullpen and Seth Frankoff closed out the game.
Visalia’s Barbosa drives 66ers scoreless
Andrew Barbosa sunk most of the chances the Inland Empire 66ers had at scoring any runs with a dominant performance.
The Rawhide lefty spun a complete game shutout on 118 pitches, 80 of which were strikes. Only allowing three hits and one walk to the 66ers offense, Barbosa struck out 14.
Visalia won the game 2-0. With the win, Visalia is tied in second place with the San Jose Giants and is one game back from the North Division leading Modesto Nuts. Inland Empire remains four games back from the Lancaster JetHawks in the South Division.