PCL1 Fresno Grizzlies

Grizzlies End Slide With Finale Win Over Memphis

Published on August 3, 2008 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Fresno Grizzlies News Release


FRESNO, CA - The Grizzlies ended a four-game losing streak with a 10-9 slugfest win over the Memphis Redbirds in their series finale at Chukchansi Park on Saturday night. Travis Ishikawa hit a three-run home run, and Justin Leone connected for his second grand slam of the year for Fresno, who welcome the Nashville Sounds to town on Sunday evening.

The Grizzlies raced out to an early lead with Blake Hawksworth on the mound for the Redbirds. With the bases loaded and just one out in the first inning, Justin Leone hammered a pitch over the left-field bleachers for his second, and the Fresno's second, grand slam of the season. Guillermo Rodriguez doubled down the right-field line with two outs later in the inning to score Dan Ortmeier and put the Grizzlies on top 5-0.

In the second, the home team poured it on for three more runs. Clay Timpner led off with a single, and Jake Wald followed by reaching when a third strike bounced away from Redbirds catcher Mark Johnson. With two on and nobody out Travis Ishikawa homered to right, his 10th of the season for Fresno, to give the Grizzlies and early 8-0 advantage.

But just as it appeared that the Grizzlies would cruise to victory and snap their four-game losing skid Memphis, the PCL's best road team, roared back in the 4th inning against Fresno starter Matt Palmer. After a leadoff walk, Palmer surrendered hits to five of the next seven hitters, including a pair of doubles and a pinch-hit home run to Brian Barton. The right-hander allowed five runs, and reliever Scott Munter allowed an inherited runner to score, in Memphis' big six-run inning. The Redbirds added another run in the 5th on Jarrett Hoffpauir's RBI-single to pull within a run at 8-7. Palmer struck out four to re-take the PCL lead with 130 this season, but would not factor into the decision.

Holding a slim, one-run margin, the Grizzlies tacked on two insurance runs in the 7th against Mark Worrell that would prove crucial. A one-out, RBI double by Travis Denker and an RBI groundout by Jake Wald extended the advantage to 10-7.

Memphis rallied for a pair of runs in the top of the 8th on D'Angelo Jimenez's two-out, two-run home run off of Vinnie Chulk to pull within a run, but Billy Sadler retired the side in order in the ninth to nail down the 10-9 win and end Fresno's four-game losing streak. Ryan Sadowski earned the win with 1.1 scoreless innings of work, Sadler earned his first save of the season, and Redbirds starter Blake Hawksworth fell to 2-7 with the loss.

Having wrapped up their four-game set with Memphis, the Grizzlies will welcome the Nashville Sounds to Chukchansi Park for the first time since 2006 on Sunday. Right-hander Victor Santos looks to end a personal two-game skid while Richie Gardner takes the hill for the Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers in the opener.

TOMORROW'S MATCHUP

Chukchansi Park - 6:05pm

RHP Victor Santos vs. RHP Richie Gardner

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS

Sunday, August 3: 25-cent Hot Dogs, Pre-Game Autographs, Kids Run The Bases Post-Game, Post-Game Movie

Monday, August 4: Monday Madness Package (2 tickets, 2 hot dogs, 2 sodas, 2 Island WaterPark passes for $14)

Tuesday, August 5: Taco Tuesday ($2 tacos, taquitos, churros, and 16oz Tecate Light beers)

Check out the Fresno Grizzlies Statistics

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Pacific Coast League Stories from August 3, 2008


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