Grizzlies Double Their Pleasure in Win Over Rainiers
Published on April 10, 2007 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Fresno Grizzlies News Release
Fresno, CA- The Fresno Grizzlies' highest scoring effort of the young season came Monday night with a 16-1 blowout of the Tacoma Rainiers. The victory also marks the first time since 2003 that the Grizzlies have begun the season with a 4-1 record.
Grizzlies starter Matt Kinney looked a little shaky early on in his first outing after Tacoma took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. However, he went on to give up only one earned run and three hits while striking out four in seven strong innings.
"Kinney surprised me by going seven innings." said Grizzlies manager Dan Rohn. "I thought he'd go five or six [innings]." He also said that a bad case of the flu might have contributed to the Tacoma loss. "I think they're a better ball club that that," said Rohn. "I'm sure they are."
Monday night's crowd of 4,293 watched Kinney received plenty of run support from the Grizzlies' offense, which tagged Tacoma pitching for 15 hits. Rainiers starter Jim Parque gave up two runs in the second and third innings, then three in the fourth as Fresno took a 7-1 lead and ended Parque's first outing since 2004. In four innings, Parque surrendered seven runs on six hits, five walks and one strikeout on 85 pitches.
Tacoma looked to left-handed reliever Brad Thomas to stop the Grizzlies' scoring onslaught, but failed as Fresno added five more runs in the fifth inning to take a 12-1 lead. All nine hitters in the Grizzlies lineup ended with at least one hit, while six Grizzlies finished with at least two or more RBIs. As a result, Thomas lasted two innings, giving up five earned runs on six hits.
The Grizzlies took a 16-1 lead in the eighth inning after Tacoma utility infielder Brant Ust took the mound for the first time in his professional career. Soon after, the Grizzlies took advantage of Ust's 70-plus mile an hour fastball when first baseman Scott McClain tagged a pitch for his first home run of the season deep to left field and onto the Luftenburg's Bridal building. Later, left fielder Fred Lewis' two-run home run cleared the scoreboard in right-center field for his second of the season. Ust gave up four runs on three hits in just one inning.
The Grizzlies return to Chukchansi Park Tuesday at 7:05 to take on Tacoma in the second game of their four game series. Fresno right hander Matt Palmer (0-0, 3.60 ERA) is scheduled to face Tacoma right-hander Cha Seung Baek (0-0, 3.60 ERA). Tuesday night's game also marks the newest weekday special - Tecate Taco Tuesdays, presented by Tecate and 95.7 The Fox. All fans will be offered $2 tacos all game long and $2 Tecate beers until 7:35.
Pacific Coast League Stories from April 10, 2007
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- Z's fall to Birds - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Las Vegas Downs Colorado Springs, 10-2 - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
- Braun, Rivera Homer To Lead Sounds To 5-4 Win - Nashville Sounds
- Royals Invest to Enhance Ballpark Atmosphere - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Zephyrs Will Kick Off Season Friday With Zephyr Field 10th Anniversary Celebration - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Oklahoma RedHawks Game Notes - Oklahoma City Comets
- Royals Game Notes - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Grizzlies Double Their Pleasure in Win Over Rainiers - Fresno Grizzlies
- RedHawks take series opener in Nashville - Oklahoma City Comets
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