PCL1 Fresno Grizzlies

Harper Goes 3-For-4 And Connects For 13th Home Run On Birthday

Published on July 31, 2008 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Fresno Grizzlies News Release


FRESNO, CA -Three Memphis home runs led the visitors to a 6-4 win over Fresno on Thursday night at Chukchansi Park. Brett Harper homered and drove in a pair of runs on his 27th birthday, as the Grizzlies dropped their second straight to the Redbirds.

In the bottom of the first inning Memphis starter John Wasdin retired the first two batters quickly, but then ran into trouble. The right-hander surrendered singles to Brett Harper to Justin Leone, and walked Brian Horwitz to load the bases. Dan Ortmeier worked a full count before earning a walk to force home the first run of the game.

Memphis rallied back in the top of the third inning. After Tyler Greene doubled, and Brian Barton singled, John Jay scored Greene with a groundout. David Freese followed with a home run that landed with a splash in the center-field pool to give Memphis a 3-1 lead.

Two home runs in the top of the fifth inning, by lead-off batter Brian Barton and Josh Phelps, added three runs to Memphis' lead, 6-1. Barton joined the Redbirds on a major league rehab assignment on July 23, and in his last two games has had four hits, including Thursday's home run. Grizzlies starter Steve Hammond allowed six runs in 4.1 innings in his first start at Chukchansi Park since being acquired from Milwaukee.

The Grizzlies answered in the bottom of the inning. After Leone walked, Brett Harper hammered a pitch over to dead-center for his 13th home run of the season, and cut the Redbirds lead to three at 6-3. Harper celebrated his 27th birthday with three hits in the game.

The Grizzlies picked up another run in the bottom of the eighth inning thanks to back-to-back doubles by Travis Denker and Eliezer Alfonzo. Memphis closer Chris Perez entered to face Scott McClain, representing the tying run, and struck out the slugger on three pitches to end the threat. Perez retired the side in order in the bottom of the ninth to earn his second save in as many nights.

The Grizzlies will look to end their three-game skid on Friday night at Chukchansi Park, with first pitch scheduled for 7:05pm. Southpaw Pat Misch, a winner in his last four trips to the mound, takes the hill for Fresno and will be opposed by Memphis right-hander Clayton Mortensen.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from July 31, 2008


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