Fresno blanked in series opener at Sacramento

The Sacramento River Cats (36-45) blanked the Fresno Grizzlies (47-33) 4-0 Friday night from Raley Field. Fresno was shutout for the third time in 2018 (home opener vs. Tacoma and May 27 vs. El Paso). River Cats starter Johnny Cueto (no-decision, MLB rehab) tossed four frames, while allowing four hits, walking one and punching out six. His counterpart Trent Thornton (5-6, loss) worked six innings, scattering four hits, four runs (earned), walking one and fanning 11 (career-high).
Sacramento seized a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth. A single to right by Chris Shaw netted Kelby Tomlinson (leadoff walk). Then, a homer to left field via Chase d'Arnaud plated three. It was his 12^th big fly of the season.
That would be all the scoring as three River Cat relievers spun five scoreless frames. Derek Law earned his first win in the process, finishing the final two innings.
Kyle Tucker expanded his team-high hit streak to 18 games with a single off of Cueto. During the span, he is 35-for-76 (.461), with five home runs, seven doubles, 16 RBI, 18 runs, seven walks and six steals. With 62 RBI on the season, he trails fellow teammate AJ Reed by five for the most in Triple-A.
Fresno drops to 35-18 vs Sacramento and 20-5 at Raley Field since the affiliation switch in 2015 (7-1 in 2016 and 2017). The Grizzlies fall to 16-5 this season in the first game of a series (8-2 at home, 8-3 on the road). Fresno has won 16 of 19 series openers, after dropping their first two of the season, April 5th at Reno and their home opener against Tacoma.
Myles Straw recorded two hits and Ralph Garza whiffed a pair in two scoreless innings for the Grizzlies.
The two squads continue the set with game two of five tomorrow night from Raley Field. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PT. Fresno RHP Rogelio Armenteros (5-0, 3.29) gets the nod on his 24^th birthday while Sacramento counters with righty Casey Kelly (7-5, 5.09).