Sacramento 5, Fresno 1
September 3, 2016 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Fresno Grizzlies News Release
On a travel day that begin with a 14-inning game at Tacoma lasting well after midnight, the Fresno Grizzlies boarded a plane to Sacramento just hours later. Despite another solid showing from a Triple-A rookie on the mound, the Grizz dropped the series-opener 5-1 in the Capital City Friday evening, beginning the final four-game series of 2016 for both clubs. The setback finalized Fresno at 23-13 in series-openers this season (11-7 road).
The River Cats bit first in the second. Miguel Olivo (2-for-4) led the half inning with a single, and scored on a one-out RBI single from Grant Green (2-for-4) which halted an 11-inning scoreless streak for Grizz starter Evan Grills. An inning later in the third, Sacramento sent seven batters to the plate in order to score three times; a one-out solo homer to left field by Tony Sanchez (2) and an Olivo two-run double did the damage, making it a 4-0 game.
Fresno broke up the shutout in the sixth, on a one-out Tyler Heineman (2-for-4) RBI double crushed into the right field corner, scoring Alejandro Garcia from second. Garcia led the inning with a single, and went 3-for-4 on the night. An evening after having his eight-game hit streak snapped in the 14-inning loss at Tacoma, he's now hit safely in nine of 10 games and in 11 of 12 of his Triple-A starts since being promoted from Double-A Corpus Christi. Garcia is now 19-for-49 (.388) since joining the Grizzlies.
Each starter went six innings. The lefty Grills (1-2), in his third Triple-A start, allowed four runs (two earned) on seven hits, did not walk anyone and did not strike anyone out. Sacramento had more success against Grills than his most recent start against them on August 27 in Fresno; when he tossed 6.2 scoreless innings with eight strikeouts. River Cat starter Dan Slania (2-0) scattered six hits and allowed a run (earned), with three walks and a career-high nine strikeouts over his six innings.
Sacramento would restore their lead to four runs in the seventh, on an Ali Castillo RBI double.
Still leading 5-1 in the ninth, submarine reliever Tyler Rogers wrapped up an inning and a third of one-hit, scoreless relief to send the Grizzlies to their 17th loss in 22 games. Although Fresno is 8-5 against Sacramento this season (4-1 road), at 70-70-1 the Grizzlies need to win two of the final three in the Capital to ensure consecutive winning seasons for the second time in franchise history.
• Discuss this story on the Pacific Coast League message board...
Pacific Coast League Stories from September 3, 2016
- Redbirds Shy against Round Rock, 4-2 - Memphis Redbirds
- Chapman's Three Homers Not Enough for Sounds - Nashville Sounds
- Zephyrs Overcome Chapman's Three Homers to Edge Sounds, 6-5 - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- OKC Dodgers Recap - Oklahoma City Comets
- OKC Dodgers Recap - Oklahoma City Comets
- OKC Dodgers Game Notes - Oklahoma City Comets
- Aces Win in 11 to Open Season-Ending Series - Reno Aces
- Reno 2, Tacoma 1 - Tacoma Rainiers
- Slania Mania: Rookie Sets Career-Mark in Win over Fresno - Sacramento River Cats
- Sacramento 5, Fresno 1 - Fresno Grizzlies
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
