A quartet of Grizzlies pitchers calm Storm 3-2 to notch 50th win of season 

Lake Elsinore, CA (Thursday, July 29) – The Fresno Grizzlies (50-25) clawed past the Lake Elsinore Storm (33-42) 3-2 Thursday night from “The Diamond.” Fresno became the fourth team in Minor League baseball to reach the 50-win mark, joining Bowling Green, Charleston and Durham. The Grizzlies improved to 19-6 in July, 25-8 against the Low-A West South Division and 36-5 when allowing three runs or fewer.

A quartet of Grizzlies arms combined for the two-run masterpiece. Lefty Austin Kitchen cooked up a career-high four innings of stellar work in his first professional start. The Coastal Carolina product allowed one run on three hits while not issuing a walk. Blair Calvo (2-1) followed Kitchen with three shutout frames. He fanned five and was awarded the triumph. Tanner Propst whipped up a scoreless eighth, notching his third hold of 2021. Robinson Hernandez ended the contest with a big 4-6-3 double play to earn his Low-A West best 10th save.

Fresno put up two early runs in the top of the first. Ezequiel Tovar whacked a double to left, plating Zac Veen. Tovar would then score after a stolen base and error. Lake Elsinore cut the deficit in half after a groundout in the second. The Grizzlies extended the advantage in the fourth after a Joe Aeilts RBI single. The Storm added one final run in the ninth from a sacrifice fly, but left the game-tying run at third. Julio Carreras supplied two hits and a steal for Fresno. Jesus Lugo (0-3) took the loss for Lake Elsinore after six strong innings. Both clubs are back in action tomorrow evening at 7:05 pm.

Top Performers: Fresno Grizzlies (Colorado Rockies)

• Grizzlies staff (9.0 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 K)

• SS Ezequiel Tovar (1-4, 2B, RBI, R, SB)

• 3B Julio Carreras (2-4, 2B, SB)

Top Performers: Lake Elsinore Storm (San Diego Padres)

• Storm staff (9.0 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 K)

• DH Brandon Valenzuela (2-4, 2 2B)

• CF Robert Hassell III (1-4, R)

On Deck:

Friday, July 30 @ Lake Elsinore Storm, Fresno RHP Tony Locey (1-0, 4.23) vs. Lake Elsinore LHP Noel Vela (1-7, 4.47), 7:05 pm PT

ON THAT FRES-NOTE:

The bullpen has been a big reason for the Grizzlies success in July. Over 99.2 innings pitched, the relievers have allowed 30 earned runs, which is good for a 2.71 ERA. Overall, the bullpen has a 10-2 record, allowing 85 hits, 35 runs, 30 earned runs (six homers), 30 walks and 95 strikeouts through 25 July games.