MiLB: Rawhide host JetHawks for three-game series

At this point in the season, the Visalia Rawhide are just one of three teams in the California League to post a losing record at home.

Through 46 home contests at Recreation Park, the Rawhide are 21-25.

The San Jose Giants are 15-31 at home and the Inland Empire 66ers own a 23-27 home mark.

The Rawhide (44-47, 8-13) have a chance to improve their home record, though, when they host the Lancaster JetHawks (49-41, 11-10) for a three-game series starting on Sunday. First pitch is 6 p.m.

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Entering Friday, the Rawhide have won three of their past four games this week, including a 6-1 win at Modesto on Thursday night. They are six games back in the California League North Division standings, trailing the Modesto Nuts (53-38,14-7).

A team strength that has carried the Rawhide for most of this season is starting pitching.

Through Friday, the Rawhide continue to lead the California League in strikeouts (859) while owning the league's best ERA (3.63). They have also allowed 735 hits, which is the fewest in the eight-team league.

Several of the Rawhide's pitchers in the starting rotation includes Justin Donatella, Jose Almonte, Bo Takahashi, Cody Reed and Jon Duplantier.

Duplantier is one of the newer faces in a Visalia uniform. The Arizona Diamondbacks' 2016 third-round pick out of Rice University was elevated to the Rawhide on June 22 from the Diamondbacks' Class-A Kane County Cougars.

He has made two starts for the Rawhide and has tossed 10 strikeouts in 7 ⅔ frames.

In Kane County, Duplantier registered a 6-1 record and a 1.34 ERA. He hurled 78 strikeouts in 72 ⅔ innings.

Duplantier adds another reliable arm for Rawhide first-year manager Shelley Duncan and pitching coach Jeff Bajenaru.

"Putting together a game plan and having pitchers that have the trust, and the ability to execute it [is key]," Duncan said on Monday about the Rawhide's continued success on the mound. "That's the most important thing, but you also have to give credit to the catchers. The catchers listen to our pitching coach, who is probably one of the best in baseball in putting together a solid game plan. He understands a pitcher's strengths and weaknesses. He's doing a great job of that, and the catchers have been doing a great job of learning the information."

Almonte (6-7, 4.02 ERA) is scheduled to start on Sunday.

A 6-foot-2, 185-pound right-hander, Almonte is ranked No. 1 in the circuit in strikeouts (116) in 18 starts for the Rawhide.

On Monday, Brazil native Bo Takahashi is expected to take the hill.

In his last three appearances, Takahashi (5-4, 3.68 ERA) has been credited with two losses and a no-decision, but he has proven to be an effective pitcher, though.

During a stretch in May and June, Takahashi, a righty, posted five straight victories while pitching 33 ⅓ stanzas.

Slated to take the mound on Tuesday is Cody Reed.

Reed, a former second-round pick of the Diamondbacks in 2014, is in his second season with the Rawhide.

In nine starts, the left-handed Reed has produced a 2-4 record with 48 strikeouts in 47 ⅓ innings.

Here's a look at some Rawhide hitters to watch:

Marty Herum, first base: The 2017 California League All-Star Home Run Derby champion leads Visalia with a .311 batting average. He is the only active Rawhide hitter who is batting over .300. His 27 doubles are also the top mark in the league.

Grant Heyman, outfielder: The Community College of Southern Nevada product smashed his team-leading 12th home run of the season in the Rawhide's 6-1 over the Nuts on Thursday at John Thurman Field. His 46 RBIs rank second on the team behind Herum's 47.

Matt McPhearson, outfielder: A left-handed hitter, McPhearson is one of the top hitters on the team. Since June 25, he is on a 16-game hitting streak and has provided eight multi-hit games during that span. Listed at 5-foot-8 and 175 pounds, he is one of the fastest players on the team, leading the Rawhide with 21 stolen bases.

Here's a look at some of the promotions for this homestand:

Bike Night: Fans who ride their bike to the game on Sunday and participate in a pre-game lap around the field will receive a free pasture ticket. A special bike package is also available for purchase for $10 and includes a saloon ticket and beer voucher.

Make A Difference Monday: Fans can receive a free pasture ticket by donating a new children's toy to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Two-fer-Tuesday: Two-for-one ticket vouchers can be claimed at participating Chevron/Texaco locations.