Bottom half of the lineup carries Fresno past Stockton 8-3 on Sunday

Stockton, CA (Sunday, July 3) – The Fresno Grizzlies (46-29, 5-4) scampered past the Stockton Ports (26-49, 1-8) 8-3 Sunday evening from Banner Island Ballpark. With the win, the Grizzlies improved to 18-3 (+100 run differential, 180-80) against the Ports this year, 35-10 against Stockton over the past two seasons and 22-2 at Banner Island Ballpark (11-1, 117-39 run differential this year). Fresno took five of six from Stockton, earning their fourth series victory against the Ports this year. The Grizzlies will not return to Banner Island Ballpark for the remainder of the 2022 regular season.

In the six-game series, the Fresno offense plated 67 runs on 87 hits with 21 of them leaving the yard. The Grizzlies collected eight runs (five in the final two frames) on 11 hits with one wallop on Sunday. Fresno’s bottom half of the lineup (5-9) tallied 10 of the 11 hits, scored all eight runs and drove in five of the seven RBI. Nine-hole hitter Bryant Quijada launched the lone homer, a solo shot in the fifth. It was Quijada’s first clout of the season. He became the 10th Grizzlies batter to blast a tater during the series.

Eight-spot batter Yorvis Torrealba had three key singles for Fresno. Torrealba tied the game at three in the sixth, pushed the Grizzlies ahead in the eighth and added an insurance RBI in the ninth. Seven-hole hitter EJ Andrews Jr. ripped two doubles of his three hits and powered in one run. Both Juan Guerrero (five-hole) and Ben Sems (six-spot) raced home twice with the latter notching a pair of hits. The other hit and two RBI came from Adael Amador (leadoff), who spanked a double in the eighth.

Grizzlies’ lefty Mason Green pocketed a no-decision after four and two-thirds innings of three-run ball (two earned). Green allowed five hits and walks while striking out seven. Tyler Ras punched out the only batter he faced after Green departed. Cullen Kafka (3-1) enjoyed the triumph after four shutout frames. He permitted two hits and fanned six. Ports’ starter Grant Judkins also did not factor in the final line after five innings of work. He gave up three runs and issued six walks. Robin Vazquez (0-2) suffered the setback after three rough frames.

Stockton’s offense mustered seven hits with T.J. Schofield-Sam leading the charge. He had three hits and one RBI. Max Muncy swatted a solo dinger in the first, the second one allowed by Green this season. Junior Perez reached base three times and scored once in the loss. Both clubs will travel and play on Monday for July 4th. The Grizzlies will host the San Jose Giants for their annual Independence Day Celebration.

Top Performers: Fresno Grizzlies (Colorado Rockies)

• 1B Bryant Quijada (1-3, HR, RBI, 2 R, BB)

• CF EJ Andrews Jr. (3-4, 2 2B, RBI, R, BB)

• DH Yorvis Torrealba (3-5, 3 RBI, R)

• RHP Cullen Kafka (4.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 K)

Top Performers: Stockton Ports (Oakland Athletics)

• 1B T.J. Schofield-Sam (3-4, RBI)

• SS Max Muncy (1-4, HR, RBI, R, BB, CS)

• CF Junior Perez (2-4, R, BB)

On Deck:

Monday, July 4 vs. San Jose Giants, San Jose RHP Nick Sinacola (4-5, 3.75) vs. Fresno RHP Jarrod Cande (3-1, 2.84), 6:35 pm PT

ON THAT FRES-NOTES:

Fresno has mashed 52 homers over their 21 affairs against Stockton this season, with four contests of five taters or more. On the other side of the ball, the Grizzlies’ pitching staff has struck out 189 batters over the past 17 contests against the Ports.

Cullen Kafka’s six strikeouts are tied for the most by a Grizzlies reliever this season (Noah Gotsis, April 26 at Stockton).

Mason Green’s five walks are tied for the most by a Grizzlies pitcher this season (Brayan Castillo, April 23 vs. Lake Elsinore).