Grizzlies Avenge Loss with Win on Sunday
April 15, 2012 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Fresno Grizzlies News Release
Fresno, Calif. - Justin Christian entered Sunday's game against Tacoma with a .529 batting average, the best in the Pacific Coast League. It is a tough task to maintain an average north of .500, but Christian elected it was no task too tough for him.
Christian went 3-for-4 with two doubles, three runs batted in and two runs scored, helping the Fresno Grizzlies defeat the Rainiers 7-1 at Chukchansi Park. Christian is now batting .633 (19-for-30) in his last seven games, including six straight games with a double. The Grizzlies improve to 8-3 on the season, their best 11-game start in team history, and remain tied with the Sacramento River Cats for first in the Pacific Southern Division.
Christian placed the Grizzlies on the board with an RBI double in the third inning, driving in Jackson Williams. In the fifth, Christian added another RBI double, this time scoring Todd Linden and igniting a three-run inning for the Grizzlies. Francisco Peguero, who also drove in three runs, plated the two other runs in the fifth.
With Nick Noonan standing on third in the sixth, Christian drove him in with a single through the hole to left on a full count. It wasChristian's third hit and RBI of the game.
Not to be lost in Christian's hot-hitting was a fine performance by Fresno starter Travis Blackley. The southpaw allowed only one run on one hit while striking out six and walking one. He picked up the winning decision in his first start for the Grizzlies since 2007.
Blackley allowed a leadoff home run in the fourth to Carlos Triunfel and walked the following batter, Mike Carp. Despite the pending threat, Blackley settled in and struck out the remaining three hitters in the inning. The three strikeouts were among the six punchouts by Blackley, his most in an outing in affiliated baseball since 2010.
Overall, the Grizzlies pitching staff recorded 10strikeouts, one shy of the season-high of 11 set in the season opener at Tucson on April 5th. Steve Edlefsen and George Kontos each added two strikeouts.
The Grizzlies and Rainiers will return to action on Monday evening for a 7:05 pm game at Chukchansi Park. Fresno's Brian Burres (0-1, 8.10) will face Jeff Marquez (0-0, 15.75) of Tacoma.
Pacific Coast League Stories from April 15, 2012
- Isotopes Mount Seventh-Inning Comeback to Top Chasers, 9-7 - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Grizzlies Avenge Loss with Win on Sunday - Fresno Grizzlies
- Cubs Fall 11-10 in 13 Innings at Round Rock - Iowa Cubs
- Rainiers Fall To Fresno 7-1 - Tacoma Rainiers
- Round Rock Express Nip Iowa Cubs 11-10 in 13 Innings - Round Rock Express
- Albuquerque Comes Back to Beat Chasers - Omaha Storm Chasers
- River Cats Ride Pitching to 3-1 Win Over Aces - Sacramento River Cats
- Sounds Win, 3-2, in 13 Innings on Sunday - Nashville Sounds
- Zephyrs Lose to Nashville in 13 Innings - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Aces Fall in Sacramento, 3-1 - Reno Aces
- 'Birds Rally Late, End Slide - Memphis Redbirds
- Padres Rally Late but Fall - Tucson Padres
- Sky Sox and 51s Postponed Because of Snow - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
- RedHawks Game Notes: April 15, 2012 - Oklahoma City Comets
- Round Rock Express - Game Notes Vs. Iowa Cubs (Chicago Cubs) - Round Rock Express
- Isotopes Fall 14-10 to Chasers in 13-Inning Shootout - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Grizzlies Fall Hard to Tacoma 11-1 - Fresno Grizzlies
- Rainiers Record 14 Hits In Win Over Fresno - Tacoma Rainiers
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