PCL1 Fresno Grizzlies

A Worth-while walk-off grand slam in Grizz win

Published on May 29, 2016 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Fresno Grizzlies News Release


Danny Worth of the Fresno Grizzlies after his Walk-Off Grand Slam
Danny Worth of the Fresno Grizzlies after his Walk-Off Grand Slam
(Fresno Grizzlies, Credit: Kiel Maddox)

Bouncing back from a lopsided loss in the series-opener, the Fresno Grizzlies defeated the Colorado Springs Sky Sox Saturday night with a Danny Worth (1-for-1) walk-off grand slam to left field in the bottom of the ninth inning. Worth entered as a pinch runner in the eighth before the homer, his only plate appearance of the night. James Hoyt (3-2) picked up the win after a solid ninth inning of work.

The Grizzlies scored first in the bottom of the third when Jack Mayfield (current club-high six-game hitting streak) sprayed a single to right field. Jon Kemmer, who singled prior to Mayfield, raced to third then advanced home after an errant throw from the outfield. Fresno would add two more runs when Matt Duffy (2-for-5) hit a mammoth homer to left field, scoring he and Eury Perez (2-for-4). The Grizzlies led 3-0.

The lead would be trimmed in the top of the fourth when Manny Pina hit a two-run homer to left, also scoring Orlando Arcia. After four innings of play, Fresno led 3-2.

Fresno tacked on one run in the bottom of the fifth after a bases-loaded walk issued by Sky Sox reliever Ariel Pena, his fourth walk that half-inning. After five, Fresno led 4-2.

Colorado Springs scraped together another run in the top of the sixth when Andy Wilkins (2-for-4) doubled to center, scoring Jake Elmore, cutting the Grizzlies' lead to 4-3.

Fresno starter Tommy Shirley went 5.2 innings in a no-decision, allowing three runs on six hits. The left-hander struck out three, walking one.

The Sky Sox would tie the game in the top of the seventh, 4-4, when Yadiel Rivera (2-for-5) hit a double down the left field line, scoring Shane Peterson.

In the bottom of the ninth, with two out, Duffy doubled before back-to-back walks to Jon Singleton (intentional) and Preston Tucker. The next batter was Worth, who smoked a deep fly over the left field wall, sending the entire Fresno roster into a frenzy at home plate. The win was the second walk-off of the Grizzlies' current eight-game homestand (8-7 win 5/23 over Oklahoma City).

The victory improved Fresno to 5-0 this season when tied after seven innings. All five of those games have been played at home. The ninth inning blast was Worth's second grand slam this season (April 13 at Salt Lake, 6-0 win) and the fourth this season for the Grizzlies (A.J. Reed & Colin Moran).

The Grizz continue their series with Colorado Springs with game three at Chukchansi Park in Downtown Fresno Sunday afternoon. Probable starters are Sky Sox RHP Taylor Jungmann (1-2, 12.76) and Grizzlies RHP Brad Peacock (0-1, 5.67).





Images from this story

Fresno Grizzlies Mob Danny Worth after his Walk-Off Grand Slam
Fresno Grizzlies Mob Danny Worth after his Walk-Off Grand Slam

(Kiel Maddox)
Danny Worth of the Fresno Grizzlies after his Walk-Off Grand Slam
Danny Worth of the Fresno Grizzlies after his Walk-Off Grand Slam

(Kiel Maddox)
 



Pacific Coast League Stories from May 29, 2016


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