Grizzlies Fall Hard To Rainiers 11-1
Grizzlies starter Yusmeiro Petit was tagged with seven runs on seven hits in 3 2/3 innings in the losing decision. The Rainiers jumped on him early, scoring two runs in the first inning.
The Rainiers' first six batters of the lineup drove in all 11 runs and combined for 12 of the team's 14 hits. Vinny Catricala paced the Rainiers with three RBI. Catricala singled in a run in the first and hit a two-run double in the sixth inning.
Luis Jimenez hit a two-run home run in the third while Trayvon Robinson, Carlos Triunfel and Mike Carp each drove in a run in the fourth. Triunfel added an RBI in the seventh while Carp capped the Rainiers' scoring with an RBI groundout in the same inning. Tacoma went 8-for-21 with runners in scoring position.
The Grizzlies bullpen allowed four runs (two earned) in 3 1/3 innings before Shane Loux held Tacoma scoreless in the final two innings. Loux has not allowed a run in his 6 1/3 innings pitched this season.
Justin Christian was one of the few bright spots for the Grizzlies in the loss. The center fielder went 2-for-3 and scored the lone Fresno run. He hit a double to lead off the Grizzlies lineup in the first and advanced to third and home on a passed ball and wild pitch, respectively. Christian is batting .615 (16-for-26) in his last six games and entered the game leading the PCL in batting average.
Charlie Culberson led the Grizzlies with three hits, including two doubles. Roger Kieschnick, meanwhile, extended his hitting streak to 10 games with a single up the middle in the bottom of the ninth inning.
The two teams will meet for the third game of the series on Sunday afternoon. The contest, slated for 2:05 pm, will feature left-hander Travis Blackley (0-0, 0.00) of the Grizzlies taking on Matt Fox (0-2, 2.25) of the Rainiers.