PCL1 Fresno Grizzlies

Fresno Can't Withstand Late Push From River Cats

Published on July 10, 2014 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Fresno Grizzlies News Release


FRESNO, Calif - The Fresno Grizzlies (45-49), who recorded a season-high tying 18 hits and 14 runs scored last night, managed only two runs in a losing effort on Wednesday night as they fell to the Sacramento River Cats (54-39) 6-2 in front of 5,642 fans at Chukchansi Park.

Edwin Escobar (ND, 0 ER/5.0 IP) delivered five solid innings for the Fresno, but earned his team-leading eighth no decision and the fourth in his last six starts. Escobar did not allow an opposing run for the second time this season (last, 4/20 at Sacramento). He is now 1-1 with a 2.25 ERA and 15 strikeouts in three starts against Sacramento this season.

Adam Reifer (BS, 1, L, 5-1, 4 ER/1.0 IP) entered the game in the sixth to relieve Escobar and struck out the first two batters faced. But, trouble would be looming on the horizon as he issued a two-out walk to Nick Buss and a two-run homer to Jose Martinez (4), tying the game at 2-2. Reifer worked into the seventh inning and allowed the first three batters to reach base, leading to his exit. Dan Runzler (2 ER/1.1 IP) inherited the bases loaded and induced a fly ball from Andy Parrino, but right fielder Brett Krill lost the ball in the lights to let the two go-ahead runs cross the plate.

Sacramento added two more runs in the eighth inning when a Kenny Wilson singled to score Buss and Jake Elmore recorded a sacrifice fly, making it 6-2.

Fresno held the first lead of the game when they went ahead in the bottom of the fourth on a Mark Minicozzi (2-4) bases-loaded line drive off the leg of starting pitcher Tommy Milone.

Fresno added a second run in similar fashion when Tony Abreu scored Brett Krill from third on a line drive, this time off the leg of River Cats pitcher Fernando Rodriguez. The run put the Grizzlies up 2-0, but Sacramento was able to string together six unanswered runs.

Milone (ND, 4.0 IP/1 ER), who was optioned to Sacramento after spending the entire season with the Athletics, made his first start at the Triple-A level since 2013 and just third since 2011. He tossed 4.0 innings, allowing one earned off four hits.

Adam Duvall, who was coming off a six-RBI evening, saved runs by snagging a hard-hit line drive down the first base line with the bases loaded, preserving the score at 0-0 in the top of the third.

Marco Scutaro, who remains with the Grizzlies on a rehab assignment from San Francisco, did not play tonight. He is 1-7 with an RBI over two rehab games in Fresno.

Fresno will play their final game of the homestand, as well as their final game of the regular season, against the division-leading River Cats on Thursday night at Chukchansi Park before taking off for a four-game road trip at Tacoma. Lefty Jose De Paula (2-3, 4.23) is expected to take the mound for Fresno as he squares off against Sacramento righty Arnold Leon (9-2, 4.47). First pitch is scheduled to commence at 7:05 p.m. PT.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from July 10, 2014


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