Ward and Grizzlies claw past Isotopes 4-2 Saturday

Fresno, California (Saturday, August 31) - The Fresno Grizzlies (63-75) hung on to beat the Albuquerque Isotopes (60-78) 4-2 Saturday night from Chukchansi Park. Fresno has now won four straight contests (ties season-long) and six of seven. James Bourque (4-1) enjoyed the victory after a scoreless eighth while Matt Pierpont (2-2) took the hard-luck loss after three strong innings.
Drew Ward highlighted the Grizzlies offense with a two-homer and four-RBI game. He raked a pair of two-run dingers, one in the second and the other in the eighth. The latter of the pair was the go-ahead and eventual game-winner. Ward has seven longballs since joining Fresno and notched his second four-RBI affair. Sam Freeman finished the contest after striking out two in a perfect ninth. It was his first save with the Grizzlies.
Three Albuquerque batters mustered multi-hit evenings. Drew Weeks and Elliot Soto each had a pair of knocks. Weeks had one RBI thanks to a triple while Soto scored twice. Brian Mundell whacked three hits, one for a double. Roberto Ramos added a double and RBI in the defeat. Righty Nelson Gonzalez was fantastic in a no-decision effort. He allowed one hit and walk while fanning six over five frames.
Top Performers: Fresno Grizzlies (Washington Nationals)
• 3B Drew Ward (2-3, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 2 R)
• LHP Sam Freeman (1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K)
• RHP James Bourque (1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K)
Top Performers: Albuquerque Isotopes (Colorado Rockies)
• RF Drew Weeks (2-3, 3B, RBI, BB)
• SS Elliot Soto (2-4, 2 R, BB)
• RHP Nelson Gonzalez (5.0 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 6 K)
ON THAT FRES-NOTE: Prior to the game, the Grizzlies handed out their 2019 team awards. Yadiel Hernandez was named 2019 Grizzlies' MVP, José Marmolejos is Hitter of The Year, Dakota Bacus is Pitcher of The Year and Matt Reistetter was named Community Relations Player of The Year. Player awards are decided upon by the Fresno Grizzlies front office.