All-around effort key in Fresno win

FRESNO, Calif. - Starter Jake Buchanan twirled a team-high 7.2 innings and was supported by a strong defensive effort to lead the Fresno Grizzlies (16-14) to a 3-2 win Sunday afternoon over the Tacoma Rainiers (13-18) in front of 4,280 fans at Chukchansi Park. Buchanan began the game by retiring the first 12 batters in order, and only surrendered two runs over the course of his outing. The 7.2 innings were his most since tossing a complete-game 9.0 inning shutout on May 20, 2014.

            Third baseman Matt Dominguez, shortstop Nolan Fontana, second baseman Joe Sclafani, and left fielder L.J. Hoes all made extraordinary defensive plays throughout the game. Fontana's bat was also a difference maker, as he drove in runs two and three with a single to right in the second inning to extend the Grizzlies lead to 3-0. He was set up for the run-scoring hit by a Jon Singleton leadoff walk, two errors by Tacoma third baseman Carlos Rivero, and another walk by Joe Sclafani. Singleton scored on Rivero's throwing error off of an Andrew Aplin bunt, while Matt Dominguez and Aplin scored on Fontana's grounder.

            Tacoma finally recorded a hit when Jesus Montero lined a one hopper to third in the fifth inning that Dominguez dove for and stopped, but his throw was a touch too late and off the bag. Shawn O'Malley cracked a sacrifice fly later in the inning to score Montero, while Fresno nemesis Stefen Romero launched a solo homer (6) the following inning to bring the Rainiers within one. Two hits followed the homer to put runners on second and third, but Dominguez made a tremendous back-handed stop of Rivero's grounder and threw across the diamond to Singleton to record the out and end the threat. 

            Buchanan and Tyson Perez (S; 1.1 IP) combined to keep Tacoma hitless from the seventh inning on to secure the win and put the team in position for a series victory tomorrow afternoon in the series finale in Downtown Fresno. The Grizzlies send right-hander Dan Straily (2-2, 4.44) to the mound to oppose fellow righty Justin Germano (1-1, 1.50). First pitch is scheduled for 12:05 p.m. PT, with the Chukchansi Park Box Office opening at 9:00 a.m. PT.