Back-and-forth affair goes against Grizzlies in extras
Colorado Springs, Co.---Colorado Springs Sky Sox (29-18) first baseman Ben Paulsen (6) swatted a game-ending home run to left field in the bottom of the 12th, capping a crazy night at Security Service Field as he helped lead his squad to a 7-5 win over the Fresno Grizzlies (27-23) on Saturday night.
Sky Sox center fielder Tyler Colvin led off the inning with a single, and then Paulsen, who homered twice on Friday night, came through on the first pitch he saw from Fresno right-hander Jacob Dunnington (0-1) to deliver the game-ending hit.
Fresno had a chance to close the door on Colorado Springs in the 10th inning with the contest equal at two. With one out and catcher Jackson Williams at first base after a single, third baseman Juan Perez (8) launched a two-run homer to left-center, which gave the Grizzlies a 4-2 lead. Center fielder Gary Brown followed with a single to center, then he moved to second base on a ground out. With two outs, Logan Kensing threw a wild pitch, and Brown hustled all the way home from second to give Fresno a 5-2 lead.
Grizzlies closer Heath Hembree came on to try for the save in the bottom of the 10th. Third baseman Ryan Wheeler led off with a single to center, and right fielder Matt McBride followed with a single to left to put runners at first and second. Two batters later it was Paulsen who singled to right field, and that scored Wheeler to make it 5-3. After Paulsen, shortstop Charlie Culberson flied out to right field but McBride tagged and went to third while Paulsen advanced to second. That placed both runners in scoring position for catcher Lars Davis. With the Sky Sox down to their last out, Davis ripped a single to center field, which tied the game at five. It was Hembree's third blown save this year, and his second where he was one out away against Colorado Springs.
Dunnington, who was making his first appearance this year, pitched a scoreless 11th inning. Colorado Springs right-handed reliever Michael McClendon (2-2) pitched two shutout innings for the win.
Grizzlies right-handed starter Mitch Lively pitched well as a starter for the second outing in a row. He gave up three hits in five innings but only allowed one run (earned). He walked two, struck out two, and threw a wild pitch. Lively contributed offensively with an RBI double in the fifth--his first extra base hit and RBI in his professional career.
Sky Sox right-handed starter Roman Colon left the game in the bottom of the second inning with right ankle injury running from home to first on a ground ball. He allowed an unearned run over two innings while issuing two hits with no walks and no strikeouts. Right-hander Cory Riordan, on his 27th birthday, came out of the bullpen and went 3 2/3 innings giving up one run (earned).
Game three of the scheduled four-game series will be on Sunday afternoon at Security Service Field. Right-hander Chris Heston (5-3) will pitch for Fresno against Colorado Springs left-hander, and Pacific Coast League-leader in wins, Drew Pomeranz (6-1).
GRIZZLIES PAWS:
Fresno is 4-2 in extra innings this year--both losses to Colorado Springs.
Perez has eight multi-hit games in his last 10 contests.
Carter Jurica started at third base, his first appearance there this year after playing a handful of games at spot last year at Class A Advanced San Jose.
The last time the Grizzlies lost on an opponent's game-ending home run was last June 22nd at Sacramento when River Cats catcher Anthony Recker took the Grizzlies Daniel Otero deep. That game was a 2-1 decision in 12 innings.
Saturday night matches the most innings the Grizzlies have played this year. Fresno went 12 innings in a 5-4 win at Nashville on May 10th.