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 Fresno Grizzlies

Grizzlies defeat 51s

April 18, 2015 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Fresno Grizzlies News Release


LAS VEGAS, Nev. - Friday night baseball at Cashman Field in Las Vegas didn't lack for on-field excitement. The Fresno Grizzlies (7-2) had led the contest 8-1, then trailed 9-8, and eventually recouped the lead once again against the Las Vegas 51s (4-5) in the seventh inning with back-to-back homers. The game included 30 total hits, back-to-back homers by both teams, and 10 total pitchers. In the end, the Grizzlies hung on to defeat the 51s 11-10 to secure their fifth consecutive win. It is the sixth one-run game the Grizzlies have played this season (5-1 in such games) and their fifth in the last six games.

Down 9-8 heading into the seventh, Grizzlies outfielder Domingo Santana reached first by putting down a grounder to third that spun off the glove of Wilfredo Tovar. The next two pitches from Las Vegas lefty Duane Below (L, 0-1) proved to be game-changers, as both Andrew Aplin and Max Stassi connected on back-to-back homers on the first pitch they saw. The two-run shot from Aplin gave Fresno a one-run lead, while the solo homer by Stassi ended up being the deciding run in the contest.

The Grizzlies offense struck early in the game once again, piling up eight runs over the first three innings. Two of the runs came on a thunderous two-run homer by Jon Singleton (2) that landed a few feet away from his photo on the left-field scoreboard.

Fresno starter Alex White was steady through five, but encountered trouble in the sixth as the 51s mounted a furious rally. He left the game after failing to record an out in the sixth, giving way to newcomer Gonzalo Sanudo who arrived from High-A Lancaster. The Mexican native struggled by allowing two inherited runners to score and then three more himself, allowing Las Vegas to grab hold of the lead in front of a sold-out crowd.

Grizzlies' reliever Jordan Jankowski proved to be the stopper as he ended the bleeding in the 51s six-run sixth. The right-hander returned to pitch a scoreless seventh after being handed the lead to pick up his first victory of the season.

Josh Fields made his fourth rehab appearance and allowed one run on three hits over one inning. James Hoyt recorded his third save by pitching a clean ninth.

The two teams return to Cashman Field Saturday night as Fresno will be looking for their sixth-straight win. They'll send lefty Luis Cruz to the mound to battle Las Vegas righty Noah Syndergaard. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. PT and can be heard locally in Fresno on KYNO-AM 1430. For more information, visit FresnoGrizzlies.com.


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