Giants Thwart Grizzlies Signature Comeback Attempt
BOX SCORE FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno Grizzlies thought they had the go-ahead run and a signature win in hand, but the San Jose Giants scored twice in the ninth and threw out two runners at the plate in the bottom half to deal the Grizzlies a heartbreaking 4-3 loss
FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno Grizzlies thought they had the go-ahead run and a signature win in hand, but the San Jose Giants scored twice in the ninth and threw out two runners at the plate in the bottom half to deal the Grizzlies a heartbreaking 4-3 loss Saturday night at Chukchansi Park.
San Jose struck first on a leadoff homer on the first pitch of the game from Josuar Gonzalez, but Fresno answered immediately.
Ashly Andujar singled, stole third and scored on a balk in the bottom of the first to tie it right back up at 1-1.
Bryson Van Sickle was outstanding for the Grizzlies, working seven innings and striking out nine while allowing just one earned run, keeping Fresno in the game as the two clubs traded zeroes through the middle innings.
San Jose edged back in front in the seventh on a run-scoring single, but Daniel Jackson delivered the biggest swing of the night in the eighth.
With Andujar aboard on a walk, Jackson launched a two-run homer to right field to put the Grizzlies in front 3-2 and set up a shot at a signature win.
The Giants had an answer of their own. In the ninth, a leadoff single aided by a fielding error, a walk and a two-run double from Luke Nixon and an RBI single from Oliver Tejada put San Jose back in front 4-3 for good.
Fresno gave itself one last chance in the bottom of the ninth, loading the bases twice over, but the Giants threw out the potential tying run at the plate on back-to-back plays to end the game and secure the win.
Jackson's homer and Andujar's two-hit, two-run night led the offense, while Van Sickle's nine-strikeout effort kept the Grizzlies in position to win it before the bullpen couldn't hold the lead.
The tough loss drops Fresno to 69-62 and in danger of the missing the postseason as Stockton surpassed the Grizzlies for 2nd place in the 2nd half on Saturday night.
The regular season finale is Sunday at 12:05pm with Fresno needing to win and a Stockton loss at Visalia tomorrow to keep its postseason hopes alive.
ABOUT THE FRESNO GRIZZLIES
The Fresno Grizzlies are a proud affiliate of the Colorado Rockies organization. The club advanced to the California League playoffs in 2025 and continues to post some of Minor League Baseball's highest attended games. The 2026 season marks the Grizzlies' 25th year in Downtown Fresno.