PCL1 Fresno Grizzlies

Express roll to series-opening win on Tuesday, 5-0

Published on July 30, 2019 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Fresno Grizzlies News Release


Round Rock, TX - The Fresno Grizzlies (53-55) dropped a 5-0 series opener to the Round Rock Express (63-44), a club comprised primarily of players who suited up for the 2018 Houston Astros-affiliated Fresno squad. The defeat was the Grizzlies' fourth straight; they've lost six of seven following a four-game win streak on the road July 18-21.

Down to their final strike with no score in the first inning, Round Rock strung together four straight two-out hits to take a 3-0 lead; Derek Fisher homered (14), Taylor Jones singled, Drew Ferguson tripled (RBI) and Kyle Tucker singled (RBI). It was 5-0 in the fifth after Jack Mayfield hit his 18th homer, and Ferguson doubled home Fisher (single) for his second RBI of the night.

Express LHP Framber Valdez, who pitched twice for Fresno in 2018 before making his MLB debut with the Astros, flummoxed the Grizzlies for seven innings with 11 strikeouts. The southpaw scattered just four hits and two walks in a shutout effort.

Top Performers: Fresno Grizzlies (Washington Nationals)

- RHP George Kontos (2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K)

- RHP Derek Self (1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K)

Top Performers: Round Rock Express (Houston Astros)

- LF Derek Fisher (3-4, solo HR, 2 R)

- CF Drew Ferguson (2-4, 3B, 2B, 2 RBI, R)

- LHP Framber Valdez (7.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 11 K)

Next Game

DAY DATE OPPONENT PROBABLE PITCHERS TIME (PT) RADIO/TV

Wednesday July 31 Round Rock Express (Road) RHP Wil Crowe (Fresno) vs. LHP Kent Emanuel (Round Rock) 5:05 p.m. KRDU 1130 / MiLB.TV

ON THAT FRES-NOTE: 40% of Fresno's 2018 Opening Day starting lineup (April 5 at Reno) is currently on Round Rock's roster: Drew Ferguson (CF), Kyle Tucker (LF), Jack Mayfield (SS) and Garrett Stubbs (C). Ferguson (CF), Tucker (RF) and Mayfield (SS) each started on Tuesday. Tuesday's Express left fielder Derek Fisher also started on opening day for the Grizzlies in 2017 (April 6 vs. Reno), in centerfield. Round Rock/Houston Astros RHP Brady Rodgers (injured list) was the first Fresno hurler to win PCL Pitcher of the Year honors, in 2016. At the moment, there are 18 former Grizzlies from the Houston Astros affiliation on Round Rock's roster, three more such players on the Express injured list, and 17 who appeared for Fresno at any point last season.

Check out the Fresno Grizzlies Statistics

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Pacific Coast League Stories from July 30, 2019


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