Grizzlies Enter Break With 8-6 Win
Williams' run-scoring single plated one of two Fresno runs in the eighth. Skyler Stromsmoe elected a great time to record his first hit of the night when he drove in Williams to add an insurance run and make it 8-6 Fresno.
The win improves the Grizzlies' record to 50-40 entering the All-Star break, the franchise's third-best record entering the midseason intermission.
Steve Edlefsen earned his first win of the season after he did not allow a run in the eighth inning. Starter Jason Stevenson did not factor into the decision after allowing four runs on six hits and three walks in 5 1/3 innings.
The Grizzlies hit three home runs during the game, including two solo homers by Nick Noonan. It was Noonan's second multi-homer game of the season.
After Noonan's second homer in the fifth made it 5-1 Grizzlies, the River Cats answered with three runs in the sixth. Back-to-back doubles by Kila Ka'aihue and Michael Taylor to lead off the inning scored the first run, and a two-run home run by Adam Rosales trimmed the Grizzlies' lead to 5-4.
Sacramento eventually loaded the bases in the top of the sixth off of Fresno pitcher Andrew Kown. Kown, however, in his first appearance out of the bullpen this season, escaped the jam.
Chris Dominguez added a solo home run to right field to lead off the bottom of the sixth that made it 6-4 Fresno.
Fresno reliever Dan Runzler entered to pitch the top of the seventh, and he promptly walked the bases loaded to start the inning. After striking out Stephen Parker, Runzler surrendered a run on a Luke Hughes' sacrifice fly to narrow Fresno's lead to 6-5. Jermaine Mitchell would tie the game at 6-6 on a single down the left field line, but the Grizzlies threw out Adam Rosales, who was trying to advance to third on the play, to end the inning.
Jean Machi notched the save for the Grizzlies after throwing a perfect ninth inning. It was the first save for the Grizzlies since June 23rd, and Machi's first save since June 16th.
Travis Banwart took the loss for Sacramento after allowing three runs on six hits in 2 1/3 innings.
Dominguez, Williams and Noonan all drove in two runs apiece for Fresno. Linden joined the trio as the four Fresno hitters with two hits each.
The Grizzlies will hit the road for a 12-game road trip after the All-Star break, starting in Tucson for a four-game series on Thursday, July 12th.