PCL1 Fresno Grizzlies

Grizzlies walk off with win over Rainiers

Published on April 17, 2008 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Fresno Grizzlies News Release


FRESNO, CA - For the second time in a week, the Grizzlies mounted a comeback in the bottom of the ninth, defeating Tacoma 7-6 on Thursday night at Chukchansi Park. Emmanuel Burriss tied the game with an RBI triple, and scored the game-winning run on Brian Horwitz's walk-off single.

Tacoma literally wasted no time in getting on the board against Grizzlies' starter Victor Santos. Leadoff batter Jeremy Reed hit the first pitch from Santos over the right-field wall for his first home run of the season. In the fourth, the Rainiers added another pair of runs for a 3-0 lead.

The Grizzlies answered in the bottom half of the sixth. After Justin Leone and Scott McClain led off the inning with back-to-back singles, Nate Schierholtz singled to drive in both runners before Brett Harper grounded out to the right side of the infield, scoring Schierholtz, to tie the game at three.

Tacoma took the lead back in their next time to the plate when Yung Chi Chen's single scored Jeff Clement to give the visitors a 5-3 lead. Once again, the Grizzlies offense was up to the task, tying the game in the sixth. Following a one-out single by McClain, Schierholtz deposited a Sean White fastball into the right-field stands, knotting the score at five.

Tacoma, with newcomer on Keiichi Yabu on the mound for the Grizzlies, went back on top in the 7th inning. Yabu walked Matt Tuiasosopo to lead off the frame, and then surrendered an RBI double to Wladimir Balentien to put the visitors on top again, 6-5.

Fresno, for the second time in a week, saved their best work for the bottom of the ninth inning. The leadoff hitter, Jake Wald, struck out but when the pitch bounded away from the catcher Wald reached first safely. After a miscommunication caused Tacoma reliever Cesar Jimenez to throw away a pickoff throw, moving Wald into scoring position, Emmanuel Burriss appeared ready to bunt Wald to third.

When Jimenez's first two pitches sailed wide of the strike zone however, Burriss showed bunt and lined the 2-0 pitch over the head of the right-fielder for an RBI triple, tying the game at six. Pinch-hitter Brian Horwitz sent 6,051 Grizzlies fans happy when he followed with an RBI single, scoring Burriss to win the game.

The Grizzlies and Rainiers will wrap up their four-game series on 'Orange Out Friday' at Chukchansi Park. The first 1,000 fans will receive a free 'Orange Out' t-shirt, courtesy of Rally's and fireworks will follow the game. On Friday night the Grizzlies will be wearing special Autism Awareness theme jerseys, which will be auctioned off after the game. Game time is set for 7:05pm, with Fresno's Nick Pereira getting the start and being opposed by Tacoma's Ryan Feierabend.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from April 17, 2008


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