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Fresno Grizzlies

Six-Run Third Too Much to Overcome

August 10, 2011 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Fresno Grizzlies News Release


PAPILLION, NE- When Fresno scored six runs in the second inning in the first game of this series, they cruised to victory. The same was not true for the Omaha Storm Chasers, who had to hang on after a six-run third inning Wednesday afternoon, clinging to a one-run victory over the Grizzlies at Werner Park, 7-6.

The Grizzlies (53-66) scored the game's final four runs, but came up one shy in the end. Had they come back to win, the five-run deficit would have equaled the largest they have overcome this season.

Fresno struck in the first, but missed a chance at a big inning against Omaha starter Mike Montgomery. Justin Christian singled and Edgar Gonzalez followed with a walk to open the game, and Bill Hall came through two outs later with an RBI single. Brad Eldred then walked to load the bases, but Montgomery (5-7) got Brandon Crawford swinging to limit the damage.

Omaha (65-53) would come right back to tie the game, as Lorenzo Cain took Fresno starter Andrew Kown (10-8) deep to left for a solo shot in the bottom of the frame, tying the game at 1-1.

Edgar Gonzalez went deep to the opposite way leading off the third inning to put the Grizzlies back in front at 2-1. Again, though, Fresno's lead would be short-lived, as Omaha would hang a six-spot on the board in the bottom of the frame.

The Grizzlies got a bit unlucky, but also did not help themselves in the bottom of the third. Cody Clark opened the frame with a flare single, and Jarrod Dyson laid down a bunt, which Brett Pill threw to Bill Hall covering first for what should have been the first out. But first base umpire Tripp Gibson ruled Hall off the bag, as both runners were safe. David Lough followed with a bunt as well, which Hector Sanchez fielded, then threw wildly to first, allowing the lead runner to score. Andrew Kown hit the next batter, then Clint Robinson followed with a two-run bloop single, and Kila Ka'aihue delivered the big hit of the frame, a three-run blast to right on the first pitch to cap the six-run explosion, putting the Chasers ahead, 7-2.

Gonzalez came through again in the fourth, but again Fresno failed to fully capitalize on its chances. Max Ramirez, Tyler Graham and Christian all singled consecutively with one out to load the bases for Gonzalez. He responded by driving a double to the left-center field gap on the first pitch, scoring a pair. But after working ahead 3-1, Brandon Belt struck out, and Brett Pill flew out to deep center to end the inning, with Fresno trailing 7-4.

Ramirez found the berm in right field leading off the top of the sixth to shave the margin back to two runs, and neither team scored again until the Grizzlies got a bit of help to open the eighth. Brad Eldred grounded a ball to Yamaico Navarro at shortstop, who handled the ball too casually, with Eldred beating the throw for an infield single. Crawford followed with a single up the middle, and after a sacrifice from Ramirez, Graham singled to right to score Eldred, putting runners at the corners with one out. Graham and Crawford then attempted a double steal, and though Graham beat catcher Cody Clark's throw to second, Crawford was gunned down on the return throw, keeping Omaha ahead, 7-6.

Kelvin Herrera worked a scoreless ninth for the second time in three days to earn the save, as the teams split their only meeting this season.

The Grizzlies will enjoy the final league-wide off-day of the season on Thursday before returning home to face the Albuquerque Isotopes in the first game of an eight-game homestand Friday evening at 7:05pm. Fresno will send righty Felix Romero (0-4) against Isotopes right-hander Francisco Felix (3-2).

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