PCL1 Fresno Grizzlies

Matt Duffy's Fifth Hit Contributes To Extra Inning Victory Over Bees

Published on April 16, 2015 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Fresno Grizzlies News Release


Fresno, Calif. - The Fresno Grizzlies (5-2) jumped out ahead 7-0 in the first inning against the Salt Lake Bees (1-6), saw their cushion completely slip away in the ninth, and then used a game-ending sacrifice bunt combined with a throwing error in the bottom of the 11th to escape with a 9-8 victory in front of 3,620 fans Wednesday night at Chukchansi Park. The team was inspired by honorary teammate and cancer survivor Jackson Standifer, who was with the team from 3:00 p.m. batting practice all the way through the victory celebration. Through the Good Karma Night ticket promotion, the Grizzlies raised $1,868 that will be donated to Valley Children's Hospital.

On the field, Matt Duffy's leadoff double in the 11th put the Grizzlies in prime position for the win. The hit was a soft liner into right-center, but Duffy never stopped hustling around first to leg out the two-bagger. Looking for more speed with the winning run aboard, manager Tony DeFrancesco plugged in Nolan Fontana to pinch run for Duffy. After an intentional walk to Preston Tucker, Matt Dominguez dropped down a sacrifice bunt that Bees' third baseman Kyle Kubitzka fielded and threw over the head of first baseman Eric Krauss, allowing Fontana to trot home and score the game-ending run.

"This team has a ton of depth," stated Matt Duffy after the game. "We have a ton of good hitters and great pitching, and we can win more than one way."

Facing a tall order in left-handed starter Andrew Heaney (26th Best MLB Prospect), leadoff batter Joe Sclafani set the tone with a single to start the game, advanced to second when LJ Hoes walked, and then scored on a single to right-center by Matt Duffy. What followed afterwards was six two-out runs thanks to a few singles, an error by Grant Green, and a two-run triple by Sclafani, who becomes the second Fresno player to record two hits in an inning this season (other, LJ Hoes).

Grizzlies' starter Jake Buchanan earned a no decision, but pitched good enough to win. He kept the Bees off the scoreboard until the seventh, walked only one batter, and picked up a quality start. After earning the win on Opening Day by pitching four innings in relief, he twirled 7.0 innings, surrendered three runs, and struck out four.

Duffy, Ronnie Torreyes, Joe Sclafani, LJ Hoes, and Matt Dominguez all recorded multiHIT efforts. Sclafani's two-hit game pushes his Pacific Coast League on-base streak to 49 games.

Lefty reliever Kevin Chapman blew the save in the ninth, but came on strong in extras to pick up the win and strike out six over three innings.

Fresno looks for a series sweep tomorrow night against Salt Lake when they take the field at 7:05 p.m. at Chukchansi Park in Downtown Fresno. The evening marks the first of five Season of the Throwdown events on Tecate Thursday, with tomorrow being the Tri-Tip Throwdown between Dog House Grill and Duke's along the third base concourse. The two will offer half sandwiches to fans for $5, with votes determining who has the "Best Tri-Tip in the Valley." Fans also can indulge in $2 24-ounce Tecate and Tecate Light, as well as $1 12-ounce sodas. The Chukchansi Park Box Office opens at 9 AM Thursday. For more information, call 559.320.HITS.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from April 16, 2015


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