Fresno can't figure out Lucas Harrell in loss to Reno
RENO, Nev. - The Fresno Grizzlies (18-20) didn't put a run across until the eighth inning as their comeback attempt ran short against the Reno Aces (20-18) Sunday afternoon. The Aces struck early for three runs in the second and added three more along the way to defeat the Grizzlies 6-2 in front of 5,594 fans at Aces Ballpark. Fresno has lost five of six games to Reno this season.
Fresno starter Jose De Paula (L; 4 ER/4.1 IP) retired the Aces in order in the first, but found trouble right away in the second as Andy Marte rocked the first pitch he saw for a leadoff solo homer (5). Roger Kieschnick followed with a single and Aaron Cunningham walked prior to De Paula settling down to strikeout Bobby Wilson, but a RBI double from Nick Ahmed and a two-out RBI single from Tony Campana added to the Aces lead.
Aces' second baseman Didi Gregorius (1-3, 3B, BB, R) tripled and scored off De Paula in the third to extend the lead to 4-0. De Paula retired five of the next seven batters faced before exiting with one out in the fifth and a runner on first.
Grizzlies' reliever Mason Tobin (0 ER/2.0 IP) induced an inning-ending double play in the fifth and retired the side in order in the sixth before allowing back-to-back singles in the seventh. After a sacrifice bunt by Lucas Harrell advanced the runners to second and third, left-hander Dan Runzler (0 ER/0.2 IP) entered the game and had both inherited runners come around to score when second baseman Joe Panik committed a fielding error on a grounder by Didi Gregorius. With the Aces up 6-0, it was more than enough for starter Lucas Harrell to cruise to his first victory of the season. The right-hander allowed one run on five hits over 7.2 innings, while at one point retired 12 consecutive batters (third-seventh).
The lone damage against Harrell came as he pitched into the eighth and allowed a RBI single to Tony Abreu. Reliever Derek Eitel recorded the final four outs for Reno (1 ER/1.1 IP).
Fresno catcher Andrew Susac homered off Eitel in the ninth to give Fresno their second and final run of the game. The catcher has homered in back-to-back games (first time since June 28-30, 2013 at Erie with Double-A Richmond) and is 6-11 (.545) with two doubles, two homers and five RBI over three games since returning from the disabled list (concussion) on May 8th.
Left-hander Edwin Escobar (1-3, 4.89) takes his turn in the rotation for Fresno tomorrow as they look to avoid a three-game losing streak. Righty Charles Brewer (2-5, 6.81), who limited Fresno to one run over 7.0 innings in a win on April 20, throws for Reno. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. PST and can be heard on 1430 AM KYNO with the call by Doug Greenwald.
Next Homestand - May 15-22, 2014 | Chukchansi Park
The Fresno Grizzlies return home Thursday, May 15 to begin an eight-game homestand against the Albuquerque Isotopes (Los Angeles Dodgers affiliate) and the Las Vegas 51s (New York Mets affiliate). Key promotions include the third Tecate Thursday ($2 24 oz Tecate and Tecate Light) on the homestand opener, the 1954 New York Giants World Series Championship Replica Ring giveaway (presented by Fresno Coin Gallery) on May 17, Bike to the Park (I Bike Fresno) on May 18 and Hispanic Heritage Night (presented by Tecate) on May 22. Tickets can be purchased at FresnoGrizzlies.com.