PCL1 Fresno Grizzlies

Kickham Carries No-Hitter into 7th Inning of Grizzlies' 5-3 Win

Published on August 1, 2013 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Fresno Grizzlies News Release


Fresno, Calif. - Fresno Grizzlies starting pitcher Mike Kickham carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning in the Grizzlies' 5-3 win over the Round Rock Express on Wednesday at Chukchansi Park.

Kickham allowed just one hit in his 6 2/3 innings pitched, an RBI single to Round Rock first baseman Mike Bianucci with two outs in the seventh. The left-hander did walk five and strike out one. He was eventually charged with another earned run when an infield single by Alex Buchholz off George Kontos allowed Joey Butler to score. Butler's run brought the Express within one run, 3-2.

The win for Kickham was his first since May 23rd. He improves his overall record to 4-7 in 17 starts with Fresno this season.

The Grizzlies offense supported Kickham with a single run in each frame between the fourth and sixth innings. Ehire Adrianza made it 1-0 Grizzlies in the fourth inning when he hit a triple into the right field corner. Round Rock right fielder Butler, however made an errant throw on the play, allowing Adrianza to score.

In the fifth, Adrianza drove in Carter Jurica with an RBI single to give the Grizzlies a 2-0 advantage.

Jurica followed in the sixth with an RBI single of his own to plate Johnny Monell and make it 3-0 Fresno.

After the Express scored two runs in the seventh, the Grizzlies quickly regained the two runs on Monell's two-run double.

Heath Hembree picked up his 23rd save of the season after throwing a scoreless ninth inning. The right-hander has converted each of his last 10 saves and is one save shy of tying the Grizzlies franchise record for saves in a season.

Round Rock starting pitcher Evan Meek suffered the loss, his sixth defeat of the year. He surrendered seven hits and three runs over 5 1/3 innings.

The Grizzlies, who did not walk in game one of the series against Round Rock, drew five free passes on Wednesday. Hector Sanchez led the way with two walks.

Fresno and Round Rock will face off in game three of their four-game series on Thursday at 7:05 pm. Right-hander Justin Fitzgerald of Fresno will oppose right-hander Ryan Feierabend of Round Rock.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from August 1, 2013


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