Fresno uses Turtle Power in win over Bees

FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno Grizzlies (55-60) shell-acked the Salt Lake Bees (47-68) on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Night by a score of 11-7 at Chukchansi Park. Mark Minicozzi and Chris Dominguez both used Turtle Power to collect homers and pace the Fresno offense. Every starter recorded a hit and eight of nine scored a run.

Treated to a special night were 10,675 fans who were thrilled to take part in all of the festivities, highlighted by an appearance by all four costumed Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The momentum helped Fresno take an early 3-0 lead in the first with a Darren Ford RBI single and a Mark Minicozzi two-run homer (8).

The Bees retaliated for two runs in the second and tied the game in the fourth on a sacrifice fly by Roberto Lopez. The game wasn't deadlocked for long as Fresno's Adalberto Santos knocked a go-ahead double to right-center to score Tony Abreu in the following frame, while a groundout from Darren Ford plated Santos.

The Fresno offensive machine shifted into full-force as they jumped on reliever Anthony Lerew for a six-run sixth inning. Two walks and a fielding error by Vance Albitz breathed life early on, allowing for a single by Minicozzi and Duvall to score three runs.

Armed with a 8-3 lead, Chris Dominguez clobbered a three-run homer (18) to left field on the first pitch he saw. It gives the shortstop a homer in three straight games, marking the first time he has accomplished that feat since doing it in three straight games from May 11-13 at Memphis.

Starter Austin Fleet earned his second victory in as many starts for the club. He allowed four runs on eight hits over 6.0 innings, but did not walk a batter and struck out four. 

Reliever Adam Reifer was the victim of some tough breaks as he surrendered three runs on five hits over one frame. Shawn O'Malley lined a ball directly at Chris Dominguez that bounced up and over the shortstop for a hit, plating a run, while a slow roller to third by Ian Stewart scored another. John Buck followed it up with a RBI single to center, pulling the Bees to within four.

Relievers Erik Cordier (1.0 IP) and George Kontos (1.0) threw scoreless innings to quiet the bats and lock in the 11-7 win.

The two teams meet again tomorrow night at 6:05 p.m. PT at Chukchansi Park. Fresno sends left-hander Mike Kickham (7-6, 3.80) to the mound to face major-league veteran Randy Wolf (5-1, 4.54). The game is highlighted by the ARCO Value Days Family Pack, which includes four super view tickets, four sodas, four jumbo hot dogs, two peanuts and two Fun Zone passes for $49. Call 559.320.TIXS for more information. Gates open to the ballpark at 5:05 p.m. PT to the general public.

The Fresno Grizzlies have already re-ordered additional Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles shirts and they will be available in the Grizzlies Team Store on Thursday, August 7th.

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