Grizzlies Pack Pitching on Road Trip to Inland Empire

The Fresno Grizzlies begin their first road series of the season on Tuesday night when they take on the Inland Empire 66ers at 6:35pm at San Manuel Stadium in San Bernardino, California.

The Grizzlies pack their strong pitching staff ahead of the road trip coming off of a terrific showing in the opening series against the Stockton Ports in Fresno. The pitching staff allowed just four earned runs in the three-game series and is second in all of Single-A with a 1.24 ERA.

The power numbers were also there as 14 pitchers who made their season debuts combined to strikeout 32 Stockton Ports hitters in 29 innings on the mound. Five of those 14 arms were making their professional debuts and combined for 12 of those K’s in 9 innings of work. The Colorado Rockies #5 prospect (MLB.com), Brody Brecht struck out 7 in his first three professional innings while allowing just two base runners via walk. He did not allow a run or a hit in his outing.

The pitching staff’s 32 strikeouts is tied for 2nd in the California League with this week’s opponents, the Inland Empire 66ers. Only Rancho Cucamonga has more strikeouts with 37 through the first three games of the season. But the 66ers surrendered five times as many runs (30) as the Grizzlies (6).

The 66ers are 0-3 to start the year after being swept by the Visalia Rawhide. The 30 runs they surrendered also came at the cost of 30 hits which turned into 30 earned runs allowed in 24 innings has their staff saddled with an 11.25 ERA.

Neither offense got off to a hot start over the weekend with the 66ers hitting .228 to start the year. The Grizzlies, who were stifled over the last 14 innings of their series victory over the Ports, are just 11 for 94 to start the season.

The probable pitching matchups for the six-game series are:

April 8**th** at 6:35pm Fresno Bryan Mena vs. Peyton Olejnik

April 9**th** at 6:35pm Fresno Lebarron Johnson Jr. vs. Inland Empire Andre Sanchez

April 10**th** at 6:35pm Fresno Ismael Luciano vs. Inland Empire Yeferson Vargas

April 11**th** at 6:35pm Fresno Jackson Cox vs. Inland Empire Chris Clark

April 12**th** at 6:35pm Fresno Brody Brecht vs. Inland Empire Francis Texido

April 13**th** at 2:05pm Fresno Bryan Mena vs. Peyton Olejnik

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The Fresno Grizzlies are a proud affiliate of the Colorado Rockies organization. During the 2024 season, the Grizzlies held several California League season records, including most attended game and highest overall attendance. The team plays at Chukchansi Park, a year-round venue hosting numerous special events, including concerts, non-profit events, and more.

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