Both divisions are seeing compelling races for the first-half title with Visalia a game up on Bakersfield in the North and High Desert up by the same margin over Lancaster in the South.
NORTH DIVISION
The Blaze got out of the gates fast and have had two players recognized with Cal League weekly honors in 1B Marquez Smith and P Ben Lively. After last night’s action, Bakersfield has a 14-6 record. But Visalia has shot past them to the top of the North division by winning six straight and nine of it’s last 10 to post a 15-5 mark.
Both clubs won last night. The Rawhide got two homeruns and four RBI from 3B Brandon Drury while RHP Jesse Darrah went six strong innings in a 12-4 win over San Jose. Meanwhile, Bakersfield LF Jesse Winker had four hits, including a homer, and four RBI to lead the Blaze to a 7-0 win over Modesto. LHP Wandy Peralta went six shoutout innings for his first win.
SOUTH DIVISION
High Desert and Lancaster went into Wednesday night’s action tied for first place, but a Mavericks win against Rancho Cucamonga combined with a Jethawks loss at Inland Empire separated the two by a game.
3B Patrick Kivlehan blasted his league-leading eighth homer and the Mavericks came up with two runs in the bottom of the ninth to win a wild 9-8 game over the Quakes. Rancho had scored three runs in the top of the ninth to take an 8-7 lead. But, once again, the bullpen couldn’t hold it and the Mavericks walked off with the win.
Lancaster saw a rough start from RHP Mark Appel, but managed to get the game with Inland Empire into extra innings, tied at three. But the 66ers got a run in the bottom of the 12th for a 4-3 win and the Jethawks dropped a game back of High Desert in the South.
TONIGHT
Bakersfield @ Modesto
Visalia @ San Jose
Lake Elsinore @ Stockton
Lancaster @ Inland Empire
Rancho Cucamonga @ High Desert
