Saunders, Kendrick sting Grizzlies in 5-1 Salt Lake victory
June 3, 2006 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Fresno Grizzlies News Release
FRESNO, Calif. - The struggling Grizzlies offense ran straight into red-hot pitcher Joe Saunders of Salt Lake as he cruised through eight innings to shut down Fresno 5-1 Saturday night at Grizzlies Stadium.
Saunders no-hit the Grizzlies through 6.1 and finished with three hits allowed and one run over eight innings to improve to 7-2 on the season. Saunders also broke a Salt Lake record for a consecutive 27.1 scoreless innings streak.
Fresno centerfielder Daniel Ortmeier broke up the no hitter in the seventh with an infield single. The Grizzlies also halted the scoreless inning streak for Saunders when shortstop Tim Hutting singled into left field to score Jed Hansen in the eighth for Fresno's only run of the game.
Salt Lake (32-23) also had the sticks going as well as Maicer Izturis went 3-4 with two doubles and Howie Kendrick went 3-4 with two home runs and three RBI on the night. Izturis tripled to open the game and scored on Kendrick's single to left field. Four batters later, Kendrick scored on Mike Eylward's RBI single to give the Bees an early 2-0 lead.
Kendrick, currently one of the best hitters in the minor leagues, blasted his fifth home run of the season off Fresno starter Jeff Petersen in the fifth inning and followed it up with a solo shot in his next at-bat in the seventh. Kendrick raised his average to from .380 to .390 and now has six homers on the season.
Anaheim Angels OF Darin Erstad started for his rehab assignment at center field and went 0-4. Erstad is scheduled to be in the lineup for the three remaining games of this series.
Petersen (2-2) suffered his second straight loss, allowing five runs on nine hits over seven innings. Petersen primarily pitched out of the bullpen for the Grizzlies, but started the past two games with RHP Brian Cooper on the D.L. with a pulled groin.
Fresno (24-32) continues the series with Salt Lake Sunday afternoon at 2:05 with RHP Matt Kinney on the mound for the Grizzlies against RHP Kasey Olenberger.
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