Six-Run Fourth Inning by Tucson Too Much for the Grizzlies in 8-6 Loss
April 23, 2013 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Fresno Grizzlies News Release
Fresno, Calif. - A six-run fourth inning for the Tucson Padres, including a grand slam by starting pitcher Sean O'Sullivan, was too much for the Fresno Grizzlies in their 8-6 loss on Monday at Chukchansi Park. The defeat was the fourth-straight loss by the Grizzlies and moves their record to sub-.500 (9-10).
Fresno starting pitcher Michael Kickham struck out four over the first three innings, but the left-hander faced trouble in the fourth inning from the get-go. Three straight hits were culminated with an RBI double by Cody Decker to plate the game's first two runs. After Dean Anna walked to put runners at first and second base, Rene Rivera hit a groundball to Kensuke Tanaka. The second baseman wildly threw the ball past shortstop Carter Jurica to keep everyone safe and load the bases.
Jesus Merchan followed by hitting a groundball to Juan Perez at third base, and Perez threw out Decker at home for the inning's first out. The bases were still loaded, though, and O'Sullivan made the Grizzlies pay with an opposite field grand slam to right field and increase the Padres' lead to 6-0.
Kickham finished the game allowing six runs (five earned) on five hits and two walks while striking out six. His record dropped to 0-2 on the season.
Roger Kieschnick drove in the Grizzlies' first run of the game in the bottom of the fourth inning in response to Tucson's outburst. The left-handed hitter hit a triple into right field, driving in Cole Gillespie.
The Grizzlies continued their comeback attempt by recording four consecutive singles to start the bottom of the sixth inning. With Tanaka and Gary Brown on second and first base, respectively, Gillespie singled through the five hole to drive in Tanaka. Pill followed with a single up the middle to score Brown and make it 6-3 Tucson.
Decker helped stave off any Grizzlies rally by driving in a run in each the seventh and ninth inning. He plated Daniel Robertson in the seventh and hit a solo home run to the left field bleachers in the ninth. Decker finished the game with four RBI on three hits.
Kieschnick and Johnny Monell each hit a home run with two outs in the eighth inning to bring the Grizzlies within one run. Kieschnick hit a solo roundtripper to the left of the batter's eye while Monell, two batters later, hit a no-doubt two-run home run to right field.
The two hits from Kieschnick extended his hitting streak to a season-high 11 games.
Gillespie had a team-high three hits for Fresno.
O'Sullivan, while loud with his bat, picked up the winning decision for Tucson after allowing three runs on eight hits over seven innings pitched. His grand slam was the first grand slam hit by Fresno's opposing pitcher since Hong-Chih Kuo of Colorado Springs did it against Matt Kinney on August 12, 2006.
Miles Mikolas earned the save for Tucson after getting the final two outs of the game in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Fresno and Tucson will wrap up their four-game series tomorrow at 7:05 pm. Right-hander Boof Bonser will take the bump for Fresno. Tucson has yet to announce their starter for the series finale.
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