The Fresno Grizzlies (26-32) fell 7-3 to the Sacramento River Cats (23-33) in the series opener of a four-game set on Monday night at Raley Field. It's the second series meeting of the season between the clubs, who split the last series 2-2 on May 2-5 in Fresno.The Grizzlies took
The Fresno Grizzlies (26-32) fell 7-3 to the Sacramento River Cats (23-33) in the series opener of a four-game set on Monday night at Raley Field. It's the second series meeting of the season between the clubs, who split the last series 2-2 on May 2-5 in Fresno.
The Grizzlies took 2-0 lead in the first when Juan Centeno hit a two-run double that scored Derek Fisher (single) and A.J. Reed (walk). The River Cats quickly retaliated to even the score in the bottom of the inning. Christian Arroyo hit his fourth home run of the season to right center. The two-run shot scored Wynton Bernard (single) to make it a 2-2 game.
Sacramento took a 3-2 lead in the fourth when Bernard reached on an error that allowed Carlos Moncrief (2-for-4) to score after he walked to get on. This time, it was Fresno who quickly retaliated and evened the score 3-3. Jon Kemmer scored Tony Kemp (2-for-4) with a RBI single in the top of the fifth. For the Grizzlies it would be their last run of the game.
With Fresno reliever Kevin Comer (2-2) on the mound in the sixth, the River Cats went ahead 4-3. Jae-Gyun Hwang (3-for-4) knocked a RBI single that scored Chris Shaw who also singled to get on. The inning was all Comer saw, and the run was enough to charge him the loss. Grizzlies starter Trent Thornton completed five innings and allowed three runs (two earned) on eight hits and three walks with four strikeouts.
Jordan Jankowski was on the mound for the Grizzlies in the eighth when the River Cats extended their lead and made the final score 7-3. Arroyo led off the inning with a walk and eventually scored after advancing home on three separate wild pitches. Hwang then hit a two-run homer to left center that scored Mac Williamson (walk). It was his sixth home run of 2017, and the first let up by Jankowski this season.
For the River Cats, reliever Kraig Sitton (4-1) earned the win going two and a third, allowing one run on two hits and a walk with one strikeout. The run was unearned. Sacramento starter Roberto Gomez got through three and two thirds in a spot start, allowing two runs on five hits and a walk with four punch-outs.
The Highway 99 rivals continue the four-game series with the second meeting on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. RHP Mike Hauschild (1-1, 6.58) will get the start for the Grizzlies against RHP Dan Slania (0-6, 8.05) for the River Cats.
