The Fresno Grizzlies (70-56) avoided being swept in the four-game series with a 3-2 win over the Las Vegas 51s (49-77) on Friday night at Chukchansi Park. The Grizzlies improved to 17-11 in one-run games with the walk-off victory that snapped a five-game losing streak.Fresno starter Rogelio Armenteros walked two
The Fresno Grizzlies (70-56) avoided being swept in the four-game series with a 3-2 win over the Las Vegas 51s (49-77) on Friday night at Chukchansi Park. The Grizzlies improved to 17-11 in one-run games with the walk-off victory that snapped a five-game losing streak.
Fresno starter Rogelio Armenteros walked two and struck out nine through 6.2 hitless innings. It was the fourth straight game Armenteros has struck out nine or more batters. He ended the night allowing one hit through seven scoreless innings in the no decision.
The Grizzlies had gotten on the board first in the second frame to take a 1-0 lead. Drew Ferguson knocked a RBI double that scored Jack Mayfield who reached on a fielder's choice. Las Vegas tied the game in the eighth when Jayce Boyd led off the frame with a solo home run to center.
The top of the eighth continued when Phillip Evans hit a RBI double that scored Xorge Carrillo (single) to give the 51s a 2-1 lead. Fresno tied the contest 2-2 in the bottom of the eighth on a Preston Tucker (2-for-3) RBI single that scored Colin Walsh who also singled to get on.
Tony Kemp walked it off for the Grizzlies with one out in the bottom of the ninth with a RBI single down the left field line. Garrett Stubbs (single) scored the winning run on the hit. Jumbo Díaz (1-0) earned the win for Fresno having pitched the top of the final frame.
Las Vegas starter Mitch Atkins allowed one run on just two hits and four walks with two strikeouts through six innings for the quality start. Reliever Alberto Baldonado (0-4) suffered the loss for the 51s allowing the final run on four hits.
The Grizzlies hit the road for a four-game series against the Reno Aces beginning on Saturday night. The two clubs are tied for first place in the Pacific North Division, with Fresno leading the season series between the clubs 7-6. Probable starters are RHP Trent Thornton (6-3, 5.68) for Fresno and RHP Taylor Clarke (2-1, 7.41) for Reno. First pitch at Greater Nevada Field is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
