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June 15th, 2023
Raiders Continue to Search for Answers as Season Slips
The San Jose Raiders’ difficult run continued over the past week, as they went 1–2 on the road in Detroit before returning home and dropping another 1–2 series to the Houston Drillers. The results leave the Raiders at 31–36 on the season, now 14 games behind the division-leading Portland Bruins, and still struggling to gain any real traction in the Pacific Division.
What makes the slide more frustrating is how close many of the losses have been. The offense has often done just enough to keep games competitive, but inconsistent pitching — both in the rotation and out of the bullpen — has repeatedly undone those efforts.
Injuries Add to the Woes
Late in the Houston series, the injury concerns grew yet again.
Dave Jones suffered a slightly strained oblique and has been placed on the 7-day injured list to allow for recovery.
Miguel Esparza also landed on the 7-day injured list after twisting his ankle and will miss a handful of games.
With the roster already stretched, the timing of these setbacks could hardly be worse.
Bernklau Speaks: “We’re Still Fighting This”
With the Raiders stuck in a familiar pattern, Raiders on the Bay caught up with manager John Bernklau to discuss where things stand and where the team goes from here. True to form, Bernklau was open, measured, and personable in his responses.
On the Standings and the Bigger Picture
Q: The team has fallen 14 games behind Portland and currently has a losing record. What needs to be done to turn things around, and is this starting to feel like a lost year?
Bernklau:
“I don’t think it’s a lost year. I really don’t. Are we where we want to be? No. But this is a young team that’s still learning how to win consistently at this level. We’ve been in a lot of close games, and that tells me we’re not far off. The key now is turning those close losses into wins.”
Follow-up: Is patience becoming harder to sell to the players?
Bernklau:
“Guys are frustrated, sure — but they care. That’s important. My job is to keep them focused on the process, not the standings.”
On Inconsistency
Q: The team seems to struggle with consistency from game to game. Do you believe you can get a more even level of performance out of this group?
Bernklau:
“I do. Consistency comes with experience and confidence. When you have young players, you’re going to see ups and downs. We’re working every day on routines, preparation, and mindset. Those things don’t show up overnight, but they matter.”
Follow-up: Is that more mental than physical?
Bernklau:
“A lot of it is mental. Believing you belong here is half the battle.”
On the Pitching Staff
Q: Pitching has been a challenge all season, and now Willie Baca is out. Is there a path forward for this group?
Bernklau:
“Willie’s been a big part of what we do, no question. But this is a team game. Other guys are going to get opportunities now, and that can be a good thing. We’ve seen flashes from different arms — the challenge is putting it all together.”
Follow-up: Are you considering role changes or adjustments?
Bernklau:
“We’re always evaluating. Nothing is off the table if it helps us get better.”
On the Offense
Q: Offensively, the bats show promise but still go quiet too often. What needs to improve there?
Bernklau:
“Execution. It’s that simple. We need better at-bats in key moments. That means controlling the strike zone and trusting our approach. When we do that, we score runs. When we don’t, we make things hard on ourselves.”
Follow-up: Any concern about confidence slipping?
Bernklau:
“That’s always a concern during tough stretches, but this group is resilient. We just have to keep reinforcing the positives.”
As the season moves deeper into summer, the Raiders remain caught between potential and production. The standings are unforgiving, injuries continue to pile up, and patience is being tested — but inside the clubhouse, there’s still belief that better days are ahead.
Whether that belief translates into wins soon may define how this first season in San Jose is ultimately remembered.
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