Four-Run Fourth Guides Grizzlies To Win
The visitors were paced by third baseman Brock Bond who finished 3-for-3 with three singles, three runs scored, and two RBIs. He reached base safely all five times he came up. In this series through the first two games, he has reached base safely nine times (five hits) in 10 plate appearances.
Fresno trailed 3-2 going to the top of the fourth against Tucson right-hander Matt Palmer (5-6). With two out and two on, it was Bond who drew a full-count walk. That set the stage for the second hitter in the order, centerfielder Ryan Lollis. And with the bases loaded he smacked a two-run double to right-center which made it 4-3 Grizzlies. It was his first two RBIs at Triple-A.
Following Lollis, it was shortstop Nick Noonan who came through with a two-run double to center, which made it 6-3 Fresno. Bond, Lollis and Noonan combined for six hits, seven RBIs, and four runs scored.
Lollis would add an RBI single in the sixth inning. It was his first three-RBI game since June 7th with San Jose (at Lancaster).
Lost in all the offense was Fresno right-handed starting pitcher Yusmeiro Petit (4-3). He struck out seven in seven innings. He gave up five hits, three runs (two earned), and walked one. It was his first win since June 5th at home against Salt Lake, and his first road win since April 9th (his first start of the year) at Las Vegas.
Jean Machi (9) pitched a perfect ninth inning for Fresno, which earned the save for the right-hander.
The former Fresno Grizzly in Palmer gave up six runs (all earned) on six hits in four innings. He walked four and struck out four. He threw one wild pitch.
Tucson was led offensively by first baseman Matt Clark who had a two-run, bases loaded single which put Tucson ahead in the third inning 3-2.
These teams will meet in game three of this scheduled four-game series at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium on Saturday night at 7:05. Right-hander Eric Hacker (10-4) will pitch for Fresno against Tucson righty Jorge Reyes (6-8).
GRIZZLIES PAWS:
The season series between the Grizzlies and Padres is tied, 5-5.
Bond and Lollis were teammates and roommates at the University of Missouri. It was Bond's eighth three-hit game this season.
Every Grizzly position player in the starting lineup had at least one hit.