Home Runs Back up Kickham's Eight-Strikeout Performance
May 19, 2013 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Fresno Grizzlies News Release
Fresno, Calif. - Behind Mike Kickham's eight-strikeout performance and a home run each from Johnny Monell and Cole Gillespie, the Fresno Grizzlies beat the New Orleans Zephyrs 6-3 on Saturday at Chukchansi Park. The win is the Grizzlies' third straight victory.
Kickham allowed one unearned run over six innings in the winning decision. The left-hander allowed four hits total, including just one in his first three innings pitched. The eight strikeouts match his season-high.
The one hiccup for Kickham occurred in the fourth inning. He allowed Ed Lucas and Ben Lasater to reach with singles to put runners on first and second base with one out. An error by Fresno shortstop Carter Jurica on Jake Smolinski's groundball allowed Lucas to score and make it 3-1 Fresno.
Kickham is 2-1 with a 1.80 ERA over his last four starts. He has 25 strikeouts and six walks over the same four-game stretch.
Monell and Gillespie backed up Kickham's strong outing by going deep in the second and sixth innings, respectively. Monell's second-inning two-run home run scored the first two runs of the game while Gillespie's three-run blast proved vital after it made it 6-1 Fresno.
Monell finished 2-for-3 with two RBI, a walk, and a stolen base. Gillespie had a game-high three RBI. The two home runs helped give the Grizzlies a home run in each of their last nine games.
Juan Perez and Brett Pill had two hits apiece. Perez hit an RBI double that made it 3-0 Fresno in third inning. Pill doubled in his first at-bat of the game, his first plate appearance since being optioned from San Francisco.
Jake Dunning pitched two scoreless innings of relief for Fresno. He struck out two and gave up two hits. Dunning lowered his season ERA to 1.71 over 14 appearances.
The Grizzlies' 31-inning streak of not allowing an earned run ended when New Orleans scored two runs in the top of the ninth inning off Heath Hembree. Koyie Hill and Bryan Petersen each had RBIs in the frame.
The Grizzlies will go for the sweep of New Orleans in the series finale on Sunday. First pitch is at 3:05 pm. Right-hander Boof Bonser will face New Orleans' righty Jacob Turner.
Pacific Coast League Stories from May 19, 2013
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- Redbirds Lose to Rainiers 6-5 on 9th Inning Walk-Off - Memphis Redbirds
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- RedHawks Game Notes: May 19, 2013 - Oklahoma City Comets
- Home Runs Back up Kickham's Eight-Strikeout Performance - Fresno Grizzlies
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