PCL1 Fresno Grizzlies

Grizzlies split series with a 5-3 victory over Rainiers Sunday afternoon

Published on July 15, 2018 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Fresno Grizzlies News Release


Brady Rodgers strikes out four in first outing with Fresno since 2017; Division lead bumped up to 4.5 games

The Fresno Grizzlies (54-39) earned a series split after defeating the Tacoma Rainiers (50-44) 5-3 Sunday afternoon at Cheney Stadium. With the win, Fresno bumped their division lead over Tacoma to 4.5 games. They improved to 28-20 on the road, 14-10 in day games and 7-8 in two-run affairs.

Grizzlies starter Brady Rodgers (no-decision) saw his first action with Fresno since April 19, 2017 versus Las Vegas after undergoing Tommy John surgery last spring. He hurled four and one-third frames, scattering six hits, three runs (earned), while walking two and fanning four.

A nine-batter, three-run top of the first gave the Grizzlies an early advantage. Derek Fisher led off the game with a towering drive to right field. It was his second homer of the series and his seventh of the season. Myles Straw (2-for-4) followed Fisher with a single to center and came around to score on a J.D. Davis (2-for-4) RBI single to left. Finally, a Jack Mayfield (2-for-4) RBI single to left knocked in AJ Reed (2-for-4). Mayfield extended his team-high hit streak to seven games in the process.

Nick Tanielu, a product of Washington State made it 4-0 Fresno in the visitor's half of the third with a sacrifice fly to left, adding Garrett Stubbs (walk).

Zach Vincej cut the deficit to 4-2 in the bottom of the fourth when he found green grass in center, plating a pair. That would be all the support for starter Darren McCaughan (1-1, loss), who was up from Class-A Modesto. He was charged with six hits, four runs (earned), six free passes and five punchouts in four innings.

In the bottom of the fifth, Tacoma trimmed the score to 4-3 with a bases-loaded walk.

Reed doubled to lead off the top of the seventh and waltzed home on a Rainiers error, pushing the lead to 5-3.

That would be enough for closer Brendan McCurry to notch his 11th save of the year. Brock Dykxhoorn (4-1) received the win after three-plus frames of scoreless relief.

The Grizzlies head back to Chukchansi Park for a four-game series against the River Cats starting Monday night. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PT. Fresno RHP Rogelio Armenteros (7-0, 3.28) and Sacramento fellow righty Jordan Johnson (0-2, 7.27) are the probable matchup.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from July 15, 2018


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