Visalia, CA – Wilkin Paredes pitched five excellent innings and Pedro Blanco hit a go-ahead two run homer as the Visalia Rawhide (40-60, 12-22) defeated the Inland Empire 66ers (43-56, 15-19) 3-2 on Friday night at Valley Strong Ballpark.
Paredes earned the win scattering four hits over five innings with a season high six strikeouts and allowing just a run.
Inland Empire took the lead on a solo homer in the third inning. Visalia answered in the bottom half of the frame. After Abdias De La Cruz worked a walk earlier in the inning Pedro Blanco launched a 433 foot home run over the center field wall to give the Rawhide a 2-1 lead.
Blanco hit his 13th home run of the season- tying Jose Alpuria for the team lead.
The Rawhide added a tally in the fifth. Tytus Cissell led off with a bunt base hit and advanced to second on a groundout. He then stole third and Inland Empire’s catcher’s throw bounced into left field allowing Cissell to score.
The 66ers cut the deficit to one on a solo blast to lead off the seventh but the Rawhide’s bullpen closed out the game. Raul Garayzar tossed three innings allowing just a hit with three strikeouts. Samuel Gonzalez then earned his first Rawhide save with a scoreless ninth.
Alpuria returned off the injured list for Visalia and made a spectacular leaping grab off the centerfield wall in the seventh inning. He extended his on-base streak to 13 games with a walk.
Visalia and Inland Empire continue the series on Saturday with K-Pop Night at Valley Strong Ballpark. The first 500 fans receive a Sherpa Bucket Hat presented by Millipore Sigma. Plus, fans can enjoy a performance from the Pop Star Hunters including a pregame appearance and a meet and greet and photo opportunity.
The team on Saturday will also transform into the Central Valley Sir Loins on another Sir Loin Saturday at Valley Strong Ballpark.
Saturday also kicks off the month of August where all kids 15 and younger can receive a free ticket to the 4Creeks Pasture thanks to Valley Children’s Healthcare. Families can stop by the Rawhide Ticket Office for any Rawhide game in August to receive the free ticket.
Lastly, kids 15 and younger can receive a Rawhide school lunch bag thanks to Golden Valley Painting while supplies last through Back to School Weekend.
All Rawhide tickets are available through the team’s website and at the stadium box office starting at Noon on Saturday 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 info@rawhidebaseball.com or call (559) 732-4433.