PCL1 Fresno Grizzlies

Two Erros By Fresno Lead To Comeback Win For Sacramento

Published on July 2, 2014 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Fresno Grizzlies News Release


WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. - This one will sting for a few minutes. The Fresno Grizzlies (42-44) looked to be in position to take the second game of the series against the first-place Sacramento River Cats (49-36), but let a four-run lead slip away in the sixth and then surrendered the walk-off run in the ninth. Shane Peterson hit a one-out single off reliever Mason Tobin (L, 1-2) in the bottom of the ninth, advanced to third on Daric Barton's single and scored with the infield in on a single by Jake Elmore that split the first and second baseman.

The game started in favor of the Grizzlies, who saw Sacramento starter Josh Lindblom leave after taking a line drive off his heel two pitches into the game. Tucker Healy, making his Triple-A debut, replaced Lindblom and limited Fresno to one run on two hits over 2.2 innings. The lone run came from an Andrew Susac solo homer (7) to center to plate the first run of the game.

Fresno added two more runs in the fourth when Seth Frankoff, who was also making his Triple-A debut, entered into the game. Andrew Susac hit a one-out single and Travis Ishikawa followed with a two-run homer (7) to right. They'd plate their fourth run when Adalberto Santos drew a walk off Frankoff and scored on a Darren Ford single off Eric O'Flaherty in the fifth.

From the sixth inning on, the game changed. Grizzlies' starter Mike Kickham cruised through the first five frames by not allowing a run and only surrendering three hits. The five scoreless innings extended his scoreless streak to a new team-high 13.0 innings.

In the sixth, Kickham allowed Nick Buss to reach on a leadoff single, but then retired the next batter on a fly out. With one out and Buss on first, Shane Peterson grounded a ball over to third baseman Adalberto Santos, who booted a would-be double play ball. Daric Barton took advantage of the miscue to plate Buss on a single, while Jake Elmore followed up Barton with a single of his own to load the bases. Still with only a run in, Kickham was in line to get out of the inning, but Brandon Belt aided two more runs to score when he threw away Anthony Aliotti's tailored-made double play grounder. Alden Carrithers then completed the comeback attempt by driving in Elmore with a line drive single to left, making it 4-4. The four unearned runs spelled the end of the evening for Kickham (ND; 0 ER/5.1 IP), who left with the bases loaded and one out in the sixth.

Erik Cordier took over from there and danced out of trouble, thanks to Luis Exposito who flew into a 8-3-5 double play. The righty returned to pitch a scoreless seventh and extend his scoreless appearance streak to a team-high 10 games (11.1 IP).

The Grizzlies had a prime opportunity to take the game back in the eighth off reliever Joe Savery (W, 5-0). Brandon Belt led off the inning with a double to left and advanced to third on Andrew Susac's groundout. Travis Ishikawa drew a walk to put runners on the corners with one out, but last night's hero Chris Dominguez struck out, while Mark Minicozzi lined out to right.

Fresno managed only two hits from the sixth inning on, contributing to their .125 (1-8) average with runners in scoring position.

Three of Fresno's last four games have been decided by one run.

The Grizzlies will look to put this one behind them tomorrow night as they send right-hander Chris Heston (7-3, 3.70) to the hill to face righty Matt Buschmann (5-4, 4.85). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. PT and can be heard on 1430 AM KYNO or streamed online at KYNOFresno.com.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from July 2, 2014


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