PCL1 Fresno Grizzlies

Villegas Drives in Four Runs in Grizzlies' 8-7 Comeback Win

Published on July 6, 2013 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Fresno Grizzlies News Release


Fresno, Calif. - Shortstop Ydwin Villegas had a team-high three hits and four RBIs to help lead the Fresno Grizzlies to an 8-7 comeback victory over the Sacramento River Cats on Friday at Chukchansi Park.

Villegas, who has played in five of the Grizzlies' last six games, delivered a bases-clearing double with the bases loaded in the fifth inning to give Fresno its first lead of the game. In the fourth inning, Villegas, batting out of the nine-hole in the Grizzlies lineup, had an RBI single that brought the Grizzlies within two runs.

Fresno trailed through the first four-and-a-half innings after the River Cats jumped all over Grizzlies starting pitcher Chris Heston. The Fresno right-hander allowed three runs in each of the third and fourth innings. He also faced a bases loaded situation in the first inning, but right fielder Roger Kieschnick made a sliding catch to end the inning with only one run allowed. Heston surrendered nine hits and five walks over 3 2/3 innings.

The Grizzlies bullpen stood tall, with a quartet of relievers not being responsible for any runs over 5 1/3 innings. Fabio Castillo, who spelled Heston in the fourth, allowed one inherited runner to score, but the relievers were not scored upon thereafter. Castillo picked up the win, his first career victory in a Grizzlies uniform.

Dan Runzler, Jean Machi, and Heath Hembree each threw a shutout inning. Hembree tossed a perfect ninth inning to record his team-best 17th save of the season.

The win snapped a three-game losing streak for the Grizzlies.

Every Grizzlies batter had a hit in the game. Kensuke Tanaka and Brett Pill each had two hits. Pill drove in two runs with his third inning single that trimmed the River Cats' advantage to 4-3.

Villegas' four RBI tied his career-high, last set on August 30, 2010 with Augusta.

The River Cats struck for 16 hits off the Grizzlies. Grant Green led the way with four hits, two of which were doubles.

Sacramento starting pitcher Andrew Werner suffered the loss, his 11th of the year. The southpaw allowed eight runs on 12 hits and one walk over 4 2/3 innings.

The Grizzlies and River Cats will meet for game three of the four-game series on Saturday at 7:05 pm. Left-hander Eric Surkamp will make his second start of the season for Fresno. He will face Sacramento's right-hander Bruce Billings.

Check out the Fresno Grizzlies Statistics

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Pacific Coast League Stories from July 6, 2013


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