PCL1 Fresno Grizzlies

Rodgers, Jankowski, Perez And Hoyt Combine For Shutout

Published on August 17, 2015 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Fresno Grizzlies News Release


FRESNO, Calif. - A pitchers' duel entertained fans on Sunday night at Chukchansi Park until Nolan Fontana came through with a clutch two-run double with two outs in the seventh to push the first-place Fresno Grizzlies (73-48) to their sixth straight win and 14th in their last 15 games. Starter Brady Rodgers and relievers Jordan Jankowski, Tyson Perez and James Hoyt recorded the sixth combined shutout of the season as the Grizzlies blanked the New Orleans Zephyrs (51-71) by a score of 4-0. The magic number for the Grizzlies to clinch the Pacific Northern Division is now at nine games, with any combination of Fresno wins and losses by the nearest division foe shrinking the number down further. Fresno continues their homestand at Chukchansi Park on Monday night with a 7:05 PM game against the Zephyrs.

With the game scoreless heading into the bottom of the seventh, Alex Presley changed the tone by drawing a one-out walk and stealing second. However, Jon Singleton missed out on an opportunity to put Fresno ahead by striking out against lefty Chris Reed, so up stepped Robbie Grossman looking to become the difference maker. The chance was quickly taken away from Grossman as Zephyrs manager Andy Haines elected to intentionally walk the right-handed hitter to have Reed pitch to the left-handed hitting Nolan Fontana.

The strategic moved backfired as Fontana took a slider from Reed and one-hopped it off the wall in right-center to put the Grizzlies up 2-0. Fresno added two more runs in the eighth when Andrew Aplin led off the inning with a bunt single, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Jonathan Villar, stole third, and scored on a Tony Kemp single. Kemp took second on the throw home, and later came around to score on a double into left from Matt Duffy.

The four runs of offense were more than enough for a Fresno pitching staff that only surrendered two hits to New Orleans. Both of those were charged to starter Brady Rodgers, who turned in 6.0 scoreless innings and struck out seven. Reliever Jordan Jankowski struck out the side in the seventh, while Tyson Perez and James Hoyt both worked 1-2-3 frames.

The Grizzlies are 14-1 in the month of August, with much of the credit to the pitching staff that has turned in a 2.61 ERA (40 ER/138.0 IP) over the course of the hot streak.

Fresno looks to extend their winning streak to seven when they take on New Orleans in game three of the series on Monday night at Chukchansi Park. Fans coming to the game can purchase the $20 Must Catch Monday deal, presented by The Fresno Bee, which packages two Field Level Reserve Monday game tickets with two Fresno Chaffee Zoo vouchers, two Blackbeard's Mini Golf vouchers, and two John's Incredible Pizza Kids Buffet vouchers. The Chukchansi Park Box Office opens at 9 AM.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from August 17, 2015


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