PCL1 Fresno Grizzlies

Grizzlies Sting First in Victory Over Bees

Published on May 17, 2007 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Fresno Grizzlies News Release


Fresno, CA- Russ Ortiz was back in Fresno, and he brought the form of 1998 back with him. Pitching as a member of the Grizzlies for the first time since Fresno's inaugural season, Ortiz hardly missed a beat.

With a 5.2 inning, two-run effort, Ortiz earned the win as he helped guide the Grizzlies (21-20) to an 8-2 series-opening victory over the Salt Lake Bees (22-18) Thursday night. Of course the seven-run fifth inning didn't hurt the Grizzlies' cause either.

Salt Lake starting pitcher Joe Saunders got the Grizzlies off to a walking start by allowing free passes to Nate Schierholtz and Justin Leone to start the bottom of the fifth inning. Still, Saunders had a no-hitter working.

That is until the next batter, Tomas De La Rosa, came to the plate and laid down a bunt for the Grizzlies' first hit of the game. De La Rosa's hit was the kicker for a five-hit inning for the Grizzlies, with the big blow coming via a Scott McClain 400-plus foot grand slam.

Five of the Grizzlies' eight hits in the game came in the fifth inning, but that's all they would need as the Bees could only manage to scatter six hits in the game.

The Grizzlies would tack on another run in the bottom of the sixth inning, but the return of Ortiz stole the appreciation of Grizzlies fans. Ortiz left the game to a standing ovation from a crowd of 8,641.

Ortiz's outing was reminiscent of the last time he took the mound for the Grizzlies - albeit at Fresno State's Beiden Field - though he shined just as bright, allowing only three hits and striking out four Bees batters in his 62-pitch effort. Only one of Ortiz's two runs allowed was earned.

Offensively for the Grizzlies, four batters finished the night with a multi-hit game. Clay Timpner, McClain, De La Rosa and Guillermo Rodriguez all collected two hits for Fresno and combined for all eight Grizzlies RBIs.

Game two of the four game series is set for Friday at 7:05. Fans will be treated to a post game fireworks extravaganza and the first 1,000 fans will receive Rally Towels, courtesy of Rally's. Tickets are available at the Chukchansi Park ticket office, by phone at 559-320-TIXS, or online at www.fresnogrizzlies.com.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from May 17, 2007


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