When the Oakland A's were officially eliminated from the playoffs on September 7, 2008, the organization knew it would have to look to its' lower rungs for any hopes at a championship. When the 2008 MiLB season came to end midway through September, it didn't come as much of a suprise that a franchise that puts so much emphasis on its' minor league system would hold three pieces of baseball hardware.
The Green and Gold got its' first taste of success 68 miles East of Oakland in Stockton, California, home of the Class A Advanced Stockton Ports. The Ports defeated the Lancaster JetHawks 9-3 in to win the California League Championship in four games. The title was the Ports 11th, tying Stockton with Reno for the most in Cal League history. On paper the Championship Series matched up very evenly, with both the Ports and JetHawks finishing the season with a 76-64 record. The big difference between the two was that Lancaster's record was good enough to win the California League South Division, while Stockton reached the post season via the North Division wildcard.
The story of the clinching game, in my opinion was the starting pitching. Left-handed pitcher Carlos Hernandez was handed the ball to start Game Four for the Stockton Ports, undoubtably the biggest game in the young pitchers career. What makes Hernandez starting so special? Well, the lefty started the season in Short-Season Vancouver, marking his second stint with the Canadians. I was fortunate to witness all seven of his starts at Nat Bailey Stadium, and every time the 21 year old stepped on the mound his game improved. His location improved resulting in more strikeouts and less walks. His confidence and stamina improved resulting in more innings of work. In every aspect, Carlos Hernandez grew as a baseball player, something that would not go unnoticed by the Oakland brass. After seven starts, the Santa Clara, California native was promoted to the Kane County Cougars of the Midwest League. Hernandez left Vancouver with a 2-0 record with an ERA on 1.82, in 39.2 inning pitched the lefty gave up just 32 hits, eight earned runs, seven walks and 38 K's. Hernandez immediately made good on his promotion, winning his first four starts for the Cougars while posting a 2.96 ERA. As August came to an end Hernandez was still undefeated in his second season of professional baseball. Between Vancouver and Kane County, the 5'11 lefty was 7-0 with a 2.04 ERA in 13 starts and one relief appearance. Not bad for the 1,058th overall pick in the 2006 draft.
