PCL1 Fresno Grizzlies

Grizzlies shut down Tucson 2-0 to salvage split

Published on June 3, 2006 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Fresno Grizzlies News Release


FRESNO, Calif. - The Grizzlies found an answer to their struggling offense, firing a seven-hit shutout to split the series with Tucson in a 2-0 victory Friday night at Grizzlies Stadium.

Pedro Liriano (1-2) returned to the starting rotation and threw his best outing of the season as he shut down the Sidewinders over six innings, allowing just two hits while striking out five. Liriano made four starts in April, but had not pitched into the sixth inning during a start until Friday night. Liriano started in replace of Brian Cooper, who is on the D.L. with a pulled groin.

Reliever Jack Taschner pitched two innings and struck out four batters for his fourth save of the season. Taschner got into a jam in the ninth with runners on the corners with one out, but struck out Brian Barden and got pinch hitter Robby Hammock to fly out to center to close out the game.

The shutout was Fresno's first since Aug. 26 of last year in a 10-0 pounding of Sacramento.

Fresno (24-31) scored all the runs it needed in the third inning when third baseman Juan Melo took Tucson starter Dustin Nippert's pitch to deep right-center field for a two-run homer, his first this season with the Grizzlies.

The Grizzlies were held to five hits to drop their season average to .250, but were able to hold onto the lead and took the season series from Tucson 10-6.

Nippert (7-1) dropped his first contest of the season after allowing two runs on four hits and four walks over five innings.

Fresno continues its homestand Saturday with the first of four games against the Salt Lake Bees at 7:05 p.m. RHP Jeff Petersen is scheduled to start for the Grizzlies against LHP Joe Saunders for Salt Lake.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from June 3, 2006


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