Merrifield Grand Slam Highlights 12-5 Chasers Win

SACRAMENTO - Whit Merrifield's Grand Slam put the finishing touches on a 9-run 4^th inning, sending Omaha on their way to a 12-5 win over Fresno on Monday night at Chukchansi Park.

Omaha scored the first run of the game in the top of the 3^rd. Ramon Torres singled, and Angel Franco reached on a fielder's choice and an errant throw to 2^nd by Grizzlies first baseman Jon Singleton. After Parker Morin put down a sacrifice bunt, Orlando Calixte singled to center, scoring Torres. Franco, however, was thrown out at the plate on the same play, and the Chasers were forced to settle for a 1-0 lead.

But the Chasers wouldn't be held down in the 4^th, as they scored 9 times to break the game open. Whit Merrifield singled, Hunter Dozier singled, and Jorge Bonifacio reached on an error, scoring a run. Tony Cruz singled home another, making it 3-0. Ramon Torres walked, Angel Franco grounded into a force-out to plate another run, Parker Morin singled home a further tally, and Dusty Coleman singled to drive in the 5^th run of the inning, chasing Fresno starter Jake Yuhl.

With the bases loaded, Whit Merrifield greeted reliever Chris Cotton with a Grand Slam, capping a 12-batter, 9-run inning, and giving Omaha a 10-0 lead. It was Omaha's 2^nd-largest single-inning outburst of the season (they've scored 10 times in an inning twice).

Yuhl (L, 0-2) was charged with 9 runs (7 earned) on 7 hits. He struck out 3 and walked 2.

Yulieski Gurriel put Fresno on the board with a solo homer in the bottom of the 4^th, making it 10-1.

Alec Mills pitched the first 3.2 innings for Omaha, in his first game back from the Disabled List. He allowed 1 run, 2 hits, and 1 walk, while striking out 5.

The Grizzlies grabbed 2 runs in the bottom of the 5^th against John Lannan, trimming Omaha's lead to 10-3.

The Chasers grabbed those runs back in the 6^th on a 2-run double by Dusty Coleman, who has 9 RBIs in his last 4 games.

Fresno added a pair of tallies in the bottom of the 7^th, bringing the scoreline to 12-5.

Lannan (W, 7-7) worked 4 relief innings, allowing 4 runs, and was credited with the win. Kevin McCarthy recorded the final out of the 8^th inning, and worked the 9^th as well.

The Chasers continue the series in Fresno tomorrow night. Omaha will send RHP Luke Farrell (5-3, 3.79) to the mound, while RHP Brady Rogers (12-3, 2.76) will pitch for the Grizzlies. First pitch will be at 9:05 Central Time.