Grizzlies take season series, homestand against Reno

Fresno, Ca.--For the fifth straight start, Fresno (63-67) left-handed starter Eric Surkamp (6-1) pitched exactly seven innings as he led the Grizzlies to a 4-2 win over the Reno Aces (51-80) on Tuesday night at Chukchansi Park. 

With the win, the Grizzlies took four-of-the-five games from Reno in the series. And the Grizzlies won the season series 9-7 over the Aces.

The game was scoreless through the first four innings before the Grizzlies punched through the first run. With runners at second, and third and two out--center fielder Gary Brown tapped a ball toward short but Reno shortstop Josh Wilson's throw was too late to first, and that gave Fresno a 1-0 win.

But Reno came back to score twice in the sixth on a single by catcher Ed Easley, and a sacrifice fly by first baseman Juan Rivera.

However, Fresno struck right back in the bottom of the inning with two runs. After singles by right fielder Francisco Peguero, and left fielder Kensuke Tanaka, it was catcher Guillermo Quiroz who ripped a two-out, two-run double down the left field line which proved to be the difference.  

Surkamp gave up four hits, two runs (both earned), he walked two, and struck out four. Right-hander Jake Dunning (1) pitched two innings for the save. It was his first save since 2011 when he pitched at A-San Jose.

Left-hander Tyler Skaggs (6-9) gave up three runs (two earned) over six innings in defeat for Reno.  

Fresno hits the road for its final trip of the season. On Wednesday night at Cashman Field in Las Vegas it will be right-hander Daryl Maday (0-1) making his first start this year for Fresno against Las Vegas righty Chris Schwinden (6-9).