Brown's 2 RBIs Secure Comeback Win
Gary Brown's 2 RBIs the difference in 7-5 win
Fresno, Ca.--The Fresno Grizzlies (66-74) rallied for three runs in the bottom if the eighth inning, two if which came on a double by second baseman Tony Abreu in a 7-5 win over the Colorado Springs Sky Sox (66-74) on Friday night at Chukchansi Park.
The Grizzlies trailed 5-4 going to the bottom of the 8th when shortstop Ehire Adrianza singled to center. Two batters later, pinch hitter Kensuke Tanaka walked. Then center fielder Gary Brown hit a ball deep in the hole at short. Colorado Springs shortstop Reid Brignac tried to get the force at second but the ball went into right field, and that scored Adrianza which tied the game, and eventually set up Abreu's heroics. The double by Abreu was the only extra base hit of the 14 Fresno had.
The Grizzlies had squandered the lead in the top of the eighth when right-handed reliever Jake Dunning (2-2) allowed a two-out three-run homer to Sky Sox second baseman Josh Rutledge (4). Dunning was in relief of Grizzlies left-handed starter Eric Surkamp who lasted 7 2/3 innings. He gave up four hits, four runs (all earned), he walked one, and struck out eight, and gave up two homers. It was his seventh straight start lasting at least seven innings.
Right-hander Mitchell Boggs 1-6) issued all three runs (earned) in the eighth in defeat.
Fresno-right hander Heath Hembree (31) pitched the ninth inning for the save.
Colorado Springs right-handed starter Colin McHugh gave up 11 hits over five innings but struck out six.
Game two if this scheduled four-game series will be on Saturday night at Chukchansi Park with a 7:05 first pitch. Right-hander Chris Volstad (7-5) will start for Colorado Springs against Fresno righty Daryl Maday (0-1).