PCL1 Fresno Grizzlies

Bats Back Banks as Grizzlies Beat Zephyrs

Published on May 20, 2011 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Fresno Grizzlies News Release


FRESNO- Josh Banks may not have made history on Thursday night at Chukchansi Park, but he still turned in his best outing of the 2011 season. The Grizzlies' righty took a no-hitter into the sixth inning as Fresno took the first game of the homestand, 6-2 over the New Orleans Zephyrs.

Banks (3-2) retired the first 10 batters he faced before Joe Thurston reached on a Brandon Belt error with one out in the fourth. The Grizzlies' starter did not allow a hit until Bryan Peterson's chopper to the right side found the hole with one out in the sixth inning. The veteran finished 7.0 innings of work allowing a single run on three hits, striking out three without a walk. Since his worst outing of the year on May 3rd at Colorado Springs, Banks has tossed 10.0 consecutive scoreless innings.

Meanwhile, the Grizzlies (20-21) took no time getting on the board, scoring twice in the first. Tyler Graham and Ryan Rohlinger led off the inning with back-to-back singles, then took third and second on a double steal with one out. Brett Pill ripped a solid single to left, scoring both runners to put Fresno ahead for good. The second baseman continued to sizzle at Chukchansi Park, as he is batting an even .400 (28-for-70) with eight doubles, three home runs and 15 RBI in just 17 home games this season.

The Grizzlies added on as Rohlinger reached again, this time on a walk, to begin the third, and Brandon Belt followed with a ringing shot over the center field wall, just to the right of the batter's eye, making it 4-0 Fresno. One out later, Brad Eldred singled and Travis Ishikawa and Edgar Gonzalez each walked to load the bases. But Chris Stewart blooped out to second and Banks lined out to center to end the threat.

Fresno tacked on two more runs in the fifth, as Pill led off with a double down the right field line and Eldred followed with a line drive home run to left, his fifth of the season. The 3-4-5 hitters for Fresno- Belt, Pill and Eldred- each had two RBI on the evening.

The Zephyrs (22-19) scored once in the sixth and once in the ninth, but never really threatened to get back in the game.

The win marked the second in a row following Fresno's season-long six game losing streak. The Grizzlies improved to 10-7 at Chukchansi Park this season.

The series and homestand continue tomorrow night at 7:05pm, as Fresno righty Shane Loux (2-4) takes on New Orleans righty Jay Buente (3-0).

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Pacific Coast League Stories from May 20, 2011


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