Grizzlies Come Up One Run Short In 3-2 Loss

FRESNO, CA - The Fresno Grizzlies came up on the short end of a one run contest against the visiting Salt Lake Bees on a blazing hot Sunday afternoon. The loss evened the season series with the Bees at five games a piece. In the end, the Grizzlies just could not produce timely hits, finishing the game 2-for-15 with runners in scoring position.

Salt Lake center-fielder Terry Evans hit a solo home run in his first plate appearance for the second time in as many games, giving the Bees an early 1-0 lead. Fresno designated-hitter Joe Borchard tripled off the center field wall in the second and scored on a groundout to shortstop by third baseman Ryan Rohlinger, evening the score at one-a-piece.

The Bees would recapture the lead in the fifth on a sacrifice fly from first baseman Matt Brown. The final Salt Lake run would come in the eighth after a leadoff double from Ben Johnson and a throwing error from Grizzlies reliever Keiichi Yabu on a sacrifice bunt attempt from right-fielder Adam Pavkovich.

Salt Lake right-hander Dan Denham replaced starter Shane Loux after 4.1 innings, lasting 1.2 innings, giving up no runs on two hits to earn his sixth win of the season. Fresno starter Steve Hammond had a quality outing, allowing two runs on six hits, but the southpaw ended up taking the loss.

Down 3-1 going into the final frame, Fresno would threaten with an RBI single from pinch-hitter Kevin Frandsen. The comeback attempt would fall short as Salt Lake reliever Jeremy Hill retired the last two Grizzlies hitters to pick up save number 16 on the season.

The third game of the series is tomorrow night at Chukchansi Park, with the first pitch slated for 7:05pm PDT. Fresno will start right-hander Matt Kinney (4-8, 5.99), who will face a yet to be named hurler for Salt Lake.