Four-run eighth leads Grizzlies to victory
June 6, 2006 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Fresno Grizzlies News Release
FRESNO, Calif. - After losing the lead in the 8th inning, the Grizzlies came right back with a four-run inning to rally past the Salt Lake Bees 8-5 Monday night at Grizzlies Stadium.
Trailing 5-4 in the bottom of the 8th, Daniel Ortmeier opened the inning with a double off of Salt Lake reliever Chris Bootcheck. Todd Linden drew a walk and Chad Santos singled through the hole at second base to load the bases with no outs. Adam Shabala struck out and Juan Melo tied the game with his sacrifice fly to left field as Ortmeier beat out the throw in a close play at the plate.
Jed Hansen gave the Grizzlies the lead for good on his third hit of the game with an infield single to second base that scored Linden. Catcher Justin Knoedler gave Fresno some insurance as he ripped a double down the left field line to score two runs and give Fresno the 8-5 advantage.
Fresno reliever Jack Taschner closed out the game, tossing a scoreless ninth inning for his fifth save of the season.
Fresno (25-33) took an early lead on Fred Lewis' lead off home run in the first inning, his fourth homer of the season. Fred Lewis drove in another run in the second inning with his RBI single that scored Knoedler to put Fresno on top 3-0.
The Grizzlies held onto a 4-3 lead heading into the 8th inning when reliever Carlos Hines allowed a lead off walk to Mike Eylward. Right fielder Curtis Pride followed the walk with a double to move Eylward to third with no outs. Second baseman Casey Smith grounded out to second that brought home one run to tie the game and Reggie Willits gave the Bees the lead with his RBI double to scored Pride, which set up the Grizzlies rally in the bottom of the inning.
Hines (1-0) picked up the win, despite allowing two runs in one inning and losing the lead. Bootcheck (2-2) suffered the loss with a nightmare inning of four runs on four hits and a walk.
Fresno starter James Garcia went 5.2 innings, allowing two runs on four hits, walking five and striking out four in the no decision.
After recording just six hits in the past two games, the Grizzlies busted out for 12 hits, including six extra-base hits. Knoedler went 2-3 with a double and three RBI while Hansen went 3-4 with a double and RBI and Daniel Ortmeier went 2-4 with two doubles.
The Grizzlies and Bees close out the four-game series Tuesday afternoon at 12:05 when Cy Young winner Bartolo Colon takes the mound for Salt Lake in a rehab start against Fresno southpaw Michael Tejera.
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