PCL1 Fresno Grizzlies

Bullpen Falters in Eighth, Bees Take Opener, 10-4

Published on July 27, 2011 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Fresno Grizzlies News Release


FRESNO- Just as they did Monday night, the Grizzlies staked themselves to an early lead, thanks to a four-run second inning. Unlike Monday, though, their opponents had the last laugh. Salt Lake scored the final eight runs of the game, six coming in the eighth inning as the Bees took the series opener at Chukchansi Park Tuesday night.

The game was tied at four until things fell apart for Fresno in the eighth. A bobble by Major League rehabber Mark DeRosa allowed Moore to reach to open the frame, and Reggie Willits sacrificed him to second. Moore stole third and Alexi Amarista drew a walk to put runners at the corners with one out. That brought on Ronnie Ray, who bounced his first pitch to the screen, scoring Moore and moving Amarista to second. It was all downhill from there, as the next four batters all reached, the last a two-run homer by Jeff Baisley, capping a six-run frame.

Salt Lake (46-58) led off each off the first two innings with doubles against Fresno starter Andrew Kown, with each coming around to score giving the visitors an early 2-0 advantage.

Fresno (44-60) struck back in the bottom of the second, taking advantage of some sloppy defense by the Bees. Mark DeRosa reached on an error to open the inning and Conor Gillaspie followed with a walk. Brad Eldred flew out to center, moving DeRosa to third and bringing up Max Ramirez. The catcher struck out on a 3-2 pitch with Gillaspie headed to second, when Salt Lake catcher Hank Conger's throw skipped into center field, allowing DeRosa to score and Gillaspie to move to third. Nick Noonan followed with an RBI single, then stole second and took third on another errant throw by Conger, the third miscue of the inning. Justin Christian singled Noonan home, and Hall plated Christian with a double to the wall in left-center, capping the four-run outburst, all unearned.

The Bees clawed back in the game with a two-out, RBI-double by Gil Valzquez in the top of the fourth, then tied the score as Jeremy Moore took Kown deep down the line in right on a towering shot to open the top of the sixth. Salt Lake scored single runs in four separate innings before the game-turning crooked number in the eighth.

Fresno has dropped four of the first five games in this season-long, 12-game homestand. With Sacramento's 6-4 win at Tacoma, the Grizzlies are now a season-high 18 games out of first place.

The Grizzlies will send Major League rehabbing lefty Jonathan Sanchez (0-0) to the mound Wednesday night against Salt Lake righty Bear Bay (7-6) at 7:05pm.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from July 27, 2011


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