PCL1 Fresno Grizzlies

Despite Dominant Performance By Scherzer, Fresno Steals Victory From Tucson For 2nd Straight Nigh

Published on April 12, 2008 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Fresno Grizzlies News Release


FRESNO, CA - For the second consecutive night, the Fresno Grizzlies rallied to come-from-behind late in the ballgame to defeat the Tucson Sidewinders, earning a 3-2 win on Saturday night at Chukchansi Park. Jake Wald homered to tie the game in the 8th, and Brian Horwitz scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch later in the frame to give Fresno a lead they would not relinquish.

The Grizzlies struck first, courtesy of an unearned run in the second inning. With one out in the inning, Nate Schierholtz reached on an error by the Sidewinders second baseman. After going first to third on a Julio Cordido single, Schierholtz scored on a ground-out to the right side of the infield by Todd Jennings for a 1-0 Grizzlies lead.

The visitors were kept at bay until the 6th inning. Following a leadoff single and a sacrifice, Miguel Montero's single through the left side of the infield scored Emilio Bonifacio to tie the game at one.

The starting pitchers were the story through the first half of the game, as Fresno's Victor Santos and Tucson's Max Scherzer dominated their opponents at the plate. Santos, in his second start of the season, scattered three hits and allowed just one run over 6.0 innings of work. Not to be outdone, Scherzer struck out 11 Grizzlies, and allowed just one unearned run, in 7.0 innings.

In the top of the eighth inning, with a runner on first and two outs, Bartolome Fortunato surrendered an RBI double to Wilkin Castillo, giving the Sidewinders their first lead of the game. The lead was short-lived however, as Fresno answered immediately in the bottom half of the inning against former Giants farmhand Jon Coutlangus.

Pinch-hitting with one out in the inning, Jake Wald homered to left-field to tie the game at two. Brian Horwitz followed with an infield single, and went first-to-third on Emmanuel Burriss' single to shallow center. After an intentional walk to Justin Leone, Coutlangus uncorked a wild pitch allowing Horwitz to score the go-ahead run.

Though the Grizzlies left the bases loaded in the eighth, closer Alex Hinshaw made the slim lead hold up in the ninth. Hinshaw retired the Sidewinders in order to pick up the first save of the season for Fresno.

The Grizzlies and Sidewinders will meet again on Sunday afternoon at Chukchansi Park, with first pitch scheduled for 2:05pm. Right-hander Nick Pereira gets the start for Fresno, and will be opposed by Tucson righty Emiliano Fruto.

Fans on Sunday will receive a 2008 Grizzlies Magnet Schedule, compliments of Frazee Paint. Before the game, fans will have the opportunity to get autographs from selected Grizzlies' players on the concourse, and following the contest kids will get the chance to run the bases. Additionally, all hot dogs will cost just 25-cents all game long.

Check out the Fresno Grizzlies Statistics

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Pacific Coast League Stories from April 12, 2008


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