PCL1 Fresno Grizzlies

Fresno 10, Sacramento 5

September 4, 2016 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Fresno Grizzlies News Release


Entering action Saturday night having scored just twice in 33 innings, the Fresno Grizzlies busted out in a big way in game two of their season-ending series against the Sacramento River Cats. A grand slam and four players with multiple hits delivered a 10-5 victory for the visiting Grizz. Fresno improved to 9-5 against Sacramento this season (5-1 road), and are 20-10 against the River Cats in two seasons as a Houston Astros affiliate.

The Grizzlies jumped out to a 2-0 lead by scoring in each of the first two innings. Derek Fisher (3-for-6) led the first with double, eventually scoring on a Danny Worth sac fly. In the second Fresno loaded the bases on a Max Stassi (3-for-5) single, Jon Singleton (2-for-3, 4 RBI) walk and a Tyler Heineman single. Jack Mayfield then ripped a RBI liner to center.

With two doubles, Fisher has now hit safely in six of his last seven games and 14 of 16 games, batting .354 with eight doubles, two home runs and 11 RBI in that span. The Astros #7 ranked prospect is making his Triple-A debut this season.

Sacramento struck back in their half of the second, loading the bases for a two-out Mitch Delfino (2-for-4) 2-RBI single to center, squaring the game 2-2. Fresno re-gained a two-run lead almost immediately, on a Singleton 2-RBI double into the right field corner. Worth and Alejandro Garcia (3-for-4) each scored after reaching on walks for a 4-2 lead in the third. Singleton added his third RBI of the night in the fifth on a sac fly, scoring Garcia after he and Stassi each singled with one out, extending the Grizz lead to 5-2.

That would be all for Sacramento starter and former Grizz Chris Heston, whose night ended after five innings with five runs (all earned) on seven hits, with four walks and four strikeouts.

Fresno starter Keegan Yuhl went six innings, notching his first career Triple-A quality start. He scattered two runs (both earned) on five hits, with two walks and five strikeouts.

Yuhl would not factor into the decision however, once the River Cats rallied for three runs in the top of the seventh. Sending eight batters to the plate against the Fresno bullpen, Ruben Tejada (2-for-4) led the frame with a triple, scoring on a Delfino RBI single. Ali Castillo also scored after a single, thanks to a Miles Schroder RBI double. The game was tied 5-5 after seven.

Again the Grizzlies had a swift response. Jon Kemmer promptly un-tied the game in the eighth with his 18th homer of the season, a grand slam pulverized to the right field alley. Kemmer's first slam of the season was also his first in Triple-A, and the second for Fresno at Sacramento this season. Mayfield hit the other on June 15, the only Grizz offense in a 4-3 win. Singleton then crushed his second double and fourth RBI of the night to center, bringing home Garcia after his third hit for the final scoring play of the evening to make it 10-5.

Garcia continued his absolute tear since his promotion to Triple-A, and has hit safely in 10 of his last 11 games and 12 of 14 games after going 3-for-4 for a second straight night. Garcia is batting .415 (22-for-53) in his first taste of Triple-A (15 games).

Kevin Chapman (3-4) pitched a sterling 2.1 innings of relief to earn the win. The lefty struck out the side in order in the ninth (all swinging) to end it, and punched out a season-best six batters. Chapman has allowed just three hits and no runs in his last two appearances (four innings), with 10 strikeouts. Former Grizz Jake Dunning (3-4) suffered the loss in just a third of an inning of work.

Game three of the series will be Sunday at 5:05 at West Sacramento's Raley Field. RHP Mike Hauschild (9-10, 3.10) will start for the final time this season for Fresno, opposite Sacramento RHP Chris Stratton (12-6, 4.02). The Grizzlies (71-70-1) must now win one of their remaining two games to clinch a winning season.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from September 4, 2016


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