A 4-run 5th backs Staine’s strong start as Grizzlies defeat Nuts 5-4 Saturday

Modesto, CA (Saturday, June 24) – The Fresno Grizzlies (38-30, 2-0) snuck past the Modesto Nuts (34-34, 0-2) 5-4 Saturday evening from John Thurman Field. Fresno improved to 15-4 in their last 19 contests and won their fourth straight road game (ties season-long), earning a series victory. The Grizzlies moved to 15-9 in one-run affairs and have played 36 of their 68 contests within one or two runs.

Fresno and Modesto traded runs in the fourth. Kody Huff clawed the Grizzlies ahead with a single to center, scoring Skyler Messinger. A Gabriel Gonzalez sacrifice fly to right knotted the game up at one. In the fifth, Fresno sprinted ahead 5-1 thanks to a four-run frame (nine batters to dish). Andy Perez plated Jean Perez with a sacrifice fly to left. Then, Ryan Ritter roped a double to left, adding Parker Kelly. Next, Ritter raced home on an infield single by Jesus Bugarin. Finally, Messinger waltzed in on a miscue by the Nuts. Kelly and Messinger enjoyed two hits apiece with the latter scoring twice.

The 5-1 lead held up despite a valiant effort from Modesto. The Nuts plated their next two runs thanks to Brett Rodriguez. His sacrifice fly in the fifth and RBI double in the seventh inched home Milkar Perez both times. In the ninth, Michael Arroyo netted Perez again with a groundout. Perez and Justin Lavey spanked three hits each in the setback.

Grizzlies starter Connor Staine (4-4) relished the triumph after five strong innings of work. Staine allowed two runs (both sacrifice flies), on six hits and no walks while striking out six. Braxton Hyde and Davis Palermo combined for three resilient frames of relief, both yielding holds. Felix Ramires secured his first save of the year despite permitting an unearned run. Nuts righty Shaddon Peavyhouse (5-3) took the loss after four-plus innings of five-run ball (three earned). Modesto relievers Blake Townsend and Anthony Tomczak fanned five over four and two-thirds shutout frames. The clubs wrap up the series tomorrow evening.

Tonight’s article was written by ChatGPT

Top Performers: Fresno Grizzlies (Colorado Rockies)

• RHP Connor Staine (5.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 6 K)
• 1B Skyler Messinger (2-3, 2 R, BB, SB)
• 2B Ryan Ritter (1-5, 2B, RBI, R)
• RF Parker Kelly (2-5, 2B, R)

Top Performers: Modesto Nuts (Seattle Mariners)

• 1B Milkar Perez (3-4, 2B, 3 R, SB)
• CF Brett Rodriguez (1-3, 2B, 2 RBI)
• Nuts Bullpen (4.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 K)
• DH Justin Lavey (3-4, CS)

On Deck:

Sunday, June 25 @ Modesto Nuts, Fresno RHP Jackson Cox (1-0, 9.86) vs. Modesto RHP Michael Morales (4-2, 3.96), 6:05 pm PT

ON THAT FRES-NOTES:

This was just the second series win on the road for Fresno.

Parker Kelly reached base twice from the leadoff spot, including one double.

The Grizzlies swiped three bases in the win.