Fresno crushes Reno in return to Chukchansi Park with a 7-0 shutout win
FRESNO, Calif. - After a seven-game, eight-day road trip, the Fresno Grizzlies (9-7) returned to Chukchansi Park in stellar fashion Saturday night by shutting out the Reno Aces (8-9) 7-0 in front of a sold-out crowd totaling 12,632 fans. Fresno starter Brady Rodgers (6.0 IP) and relievers Richard Rodriguez (2.0) and Hanford native Tyson Perez (1.0) combined to toss the eight-hit shutout. The win, combined with a loss by Sacramento, puts the Grizzlies 1.5 games ahead in the Pacific Northern Division. The shutout win was the first by Fresno this season and was last accomplished by the club on August 18, 2014 vs. Colorado Springs.
Rodgers scattered seven hits over 6.0 innings and struck out five for his first victory of the season. He ran into trouble in the third when Reno put runners on the corners, but he induced two infield pop outs and caught Nick Evans looking at strike three to end the threat.
The Grizzlies offense got off to a quick start, thanks to newcomer Jonathan Villar who went 3-for-4 with a double, two RBI, a walk and run scored. Outside of his strikeout to begin the bottom of the first, he drove in a run in the second to push the lead to 2-0, and also singled in Andrew Aplin (1-3, RBI, 2 R) in the sixth to make it 5-0.
L.J. Hoes continued his reign among the Pacific Coast League leaders in batting average (.396) by going 2-for-5 with two doubles and two RBI. His two-run double in the sixth capped the final two runs of the night for Fresno.
The team will aim for their 10th win of the season Sunday afternoon against Reno, with first pitch set for 2:05 p.m. Left-hander Tommy Shirley (2-0, 3.86) takes the ball for the Grizzlies and faces lefty Justin Marks (2-1, 6.61). Save Mart Sunday features the third annual Fresno Ideaworks Day, along with a ValleyPBS character appearance by Curious George. Throughout the ballpark, the Grizzlies will be celebrating Central Valley innovation with high school robotics, Lego league robotics, a nerdy derby, a cardboard creation challenge, and additional interactive experiences for fans of all ages. Purchase four field level reserve tickets for $20 online at FresnoGrizzlies.com by putting in special offer code "ValleyPBS." Remember to stick around after the game for Kids Run the Bases, presented by Sun-Maid, where kids 12 and under can race around the bases and slap high-fives with Parker at home plate. The Chukchansi Park Box Office will open at 10:00 a.m. Sunday morning.