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PCL1 Fresno Grizzlies

Fresno Opens Second Half Of Season With Victory

July 17, 2015 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Fresno Grizzlies News Release


FRESNO, Calif. - A five-run third inning by the first-place Fresno Grizzlies (54-38) changed the tone of Thursday night's game and was a key component in holding on for a 10-9 win over the El Paso Chihuahuas (45-46) at Chukchansi Park in the first game back after the All-Star Break. Domingo Santana went 3-4 with a home run, two RBI, and three runs scored to extend his league-high on-base streak to 41 games, but made the most impactful play of the game with his glove when he took away a potential go-ahead two-run double from Benji Gonzalez on a running catch to end the top of the fifth. Fresno has now won four in a row and five of their last six games.

The dead-sprint Santana made into the gap in right-center to make the inning-ending catch kept Fresno in front 8-7 and stole back some momentum for the Grizzlies after El Paso put three runs across in the frame. Matt Duffy made sure to yank the momentum all the way back over to Fresno's side when he led off the bottom of the fifth with an inside-the-park home run.

"That's my first [inside-the-park home run] and more than likely last of my career," Duffy stated with a smile postgame. "I've hit some great balls this season, but [my teammates] are always going to pick this one out and rouse me for it."

Duffy poked an 0-1 pitch from Jason Lane onto the right field foul line, which then trickled up and over the Grizzlies bullpen mound in foul territory. Right fielder Rymer Liriano initially reacted as if the ball was foul, then ran to retrieve it, and threw too late to home. The homer was Duffy's 11th of the season and is the second inside-the-park home run for a Fresno player this season (other, Tony Kemp). It also marked the first inside-the-park homer for the Grizzlies at Chukchansi Park since Fred Lewis did it back in 2007.

Domingo Santana followed the wild play with a laser home run (13) into the left-center field bleachers to make it back-to-back and extend the lead out to 10-7. The three-run cushion proved pivotal come the top of the ninth when Santana committed a throwing error by sailing a throw in towards the plate into the visiting bullpen, allowing two runs to score.

Jordan Jankowski picked up his fifth win of the year by tossing 1.1 innings in relief. He now has allowed just two runs over his last 12.1 innings.

Fresno and El Paso meet up again at Chukchansi Park on Friday night for game two of the four-game series. Gates open to the general public at 6:05 p.m. for what's deemed Health and Wellness Night. The Factory will be setting up an introductory Fresno Ninja Warrior course for fans to experience and there will also be a postgame fireworks show, courtesy of Golden State Farm Credit. First pitch between the Grizzlies and Chihuahuas is at 7:05 PM and features a pitching matchup of righty Chris Smith (El Paso) vs. righty Dan Straily (Fresno).

Check out the Fresno Grizzlies Statistics



Pacific Coast League Stories from July 17, 2015


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