Cardiac Grizzlies survive Ports 3-2 thanks to a Jake Snider solo shot in 9th

Stockton, CA (Tuesday, May 14) – The Fresno Grizzlies (18-15) clawed past the Stockton Ports (13-19) 3-2 Tuesday morning from Banner Island Ballpark. The Grizzlies improved to 67-24 all-time against the Ports (6-1 record this season) with a 36-7 all-time record (6-1 this year) at Banner Island Ballpark. Fresno played their fifth straight one-run game (3-2 in those games, first away win in one-run affairs), which includes four of them with a final score of 3-2 (2-2 record). The Grizzlies are now 7-2 in day contests (5-0 on the road), 6-1 in the opening game of a series (4-0 away) and 5-1 on Tuesdays (3-0 on the road). Fresno improved to 15-4 when scoring first (10-2 away) and 9-1 on the road against the California League North Division.

The Grizzlies grabbed a 2-0 advantage in the top of the third when Andy Perez roped a double down the left field line, adding Braylen Wimmer. A few batters later, Perez waltzed home on a sacrifice fly from EJ Andrews Jr.. The Ports didn’t disappear, tying the game with two runs in the bottom of the eighth. A bases-loaded walk to Nate Nankil and a Myles Naylor force out were the scoring plays. Ryan Lasko and Cole Conn were the run recipients. In the top of the ninth with two outs, Jake Snider gave Fresno the lead once again with a go-ahead solo shot to right-center field, his second homer of the season. Both Snider and Perez reached base four times each, concluding the contest with similar lines (two hits, one for extra-bases, two walks, one RBI, one run). Andrews Jr. blasted a triple among his two hits.

Fresno southpaw Albert Pacheco did not factor in the decision despite four shutout innings. Pacheco allowed two hits and three walks while fanning four. Welinton Herrera and Tyler Hoffman combined for five strikeouts over three clean frames. Herrera has nine consecutive scoreless outings from April 12-May 14. He has tossed 13 innings, allowing six hits, two walks and one hit-by-pitch while punching out 25. Stu Flesland III ran into some trouble in the eighth before Bryson Hammer spelled him. Hammer (1-1) earned the triumph after one and two-thirds innings of shutout ball. He whiffed Conn with runners in scoring position. The Grizzlies staff has permitted just 10 runs in their last five games.

Stockton righty and Athletics #6 overall prospect Steven Echavarria mustered two innings, allowing five hits and one run. Reliever Franck De La Rosa hurled four and one-third scoreless frames, striking out seven. Lefty Diego Barrera (3-1) took the loss after being tagged for the Snider solo shot in the ninth. Second baseman Casey Yamauchi recorded two hits in the defeat. The squads continue their series tomorrow night from Banner Island Ballpark.

Top Performers: Fresno Grizzlies (Colorado Rockies)

• LF Jake Snider (2-3, HR, RBI, R, 2 BB)
• SS Andy Perez (2-3, 2B, RBI, R, 2 BB)
• CF/RF EJ Andrews Jr. (2-4, 3B, RBI)

Top Performers: Stockton Ports (Oakland Athletics)

• RHP Franck De La Rosa (4.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 5 BB, 7 K)
• LF Nate Nankil (1-3, 2B, RBI, BB)
• 2B Casey Yamauchi (2-4)

On Deck:

Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at 7:05 pm PT Fresno Grizzlies at Stockton Ports

Fresno RHP Bryan Perez (1-1, 5.23) vs. Stockton RHP Corey Avant (2-2, 10.22)

On That Fres-Note:

In the month of May, the Fresno Grizzlies hold a 5-8 record with 32 total runs scored (2.46 runs a game). A big reason for the lack of offense is the Grizzlies’ inability to score with runners in scoring position (RISP). Over the 13 games in the month, Fresno is 20-for-105 (.190) with four different instances where the team went 0-fer with runners in scoring position. The Grizzlies offense left 14 runners on base and went 0-for-10 with RISP in the win today.