Grizzlies Come Through in a Pinch
April 15, 2011 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Fresno Grizzlies News Release
FRESNO- For seven innings Thursday night, it seemed as though the Grizzlies offensive woes would lead them to their second straight loss. But single runs in the eighth and ninth against the Tacoma bullpen forced extra innings and Conor Gillaspie's bases loaded single in the 10th won it for Fresno, 3-2 at Chukchansi Park.
A dual between starters was eventually settled by the bullpens, as the Grizzlies (5-3), who had managed just two hits through the first seven innings, collected five more along with four walk in the last three frames. Gillaspie hit a shot up the middle off Rainiers reliever Royce Ring's foot that ricocheted into foul territory, allowing Darren Ford to easily score the game-winner.
Tacoma (3-5) struck first, as Johan Limonta blooped a single to left to plate Carlos Peguero with two outs in the top of the second. They would add their second run on an RBI double from Josh Bard off Alex Hinshaw in the top of the seventh.
The Grizzlies got just one runner past first base against Tacoma starter Chris Seddon, on a one-out double by Chris Stewart in the third. Seddon allowed only two hits and two walks through 7.0 scoreless frames, changing speeds to keep Grizzlies hitters off-balance all night.
Fresno finally broke through against former Grizzly reliever Denny Bautista in the eighth, as pinch-hitter Emmanuel Burriss singled with one out, stole second, and scored with two outs on Darren Ford's RBI-single up the middle. The steal marked Burriss' 13th already this season, the highest total in all professional baseball.
The Grizzlies then tied the game in the ninth against Tacoma righty Chris Smith (0-1). Brett Pill led off with a ringing double to right-center, and scored two batters later on Conor Gillaspie's two-bagger to nearly the same spot. Fresno would load the bases with two outs, but Chris Stewart grounded out to short to send the game to extra frames.
Grizzlies starter Matt Yourkin matched a career-high with nine strikeouts through his 6.0 innings of work. He allowed a single run on just three hits, walking just one, but left in a 1-0 hole. Marc Kroon (1-0) worked 2.0 innings of scoreless ball to earn the victory.
The Grizzlies earned their first series win, and finished 5-3 on their opening homestand. They will travel to Las Vegas and Tucson for an eight-game road trip beginning on Friday, as Grizzlies righty Doug Mathis (0-0) will square off against 51s righty Michael McDonald (0-0).
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