The Fresno Grizzlies (11-4) rallied to beat the Las Vegas 51s (5-10) 10-8 Thursday night from Cashman Field. Down 7-0 heading to the seventh, Fresno stormed back with nine runs in the final two innings. This was the third comeback of the season for the Grizzlies when trailing after six.
The Fresno Grizzlies (11-4) rallied to beat the Las Vegas 51s (5-10) 10-8 Thursday night from Cashman Field. Down 7-0 heading to the seventh, Fresno stormed back with nine runs in the final two innings. This was the third comeback of the season for the Grizzlies when trailing after six. Garrett Stubbs (4-for-5) became the first Grizzly this season with four hits and he picked off two baserunners, giving him seven caught in 10 attempts. Tony Kemp (3-for-5), J.D. Davis (3-for-5) and Jon Kemmer (2-for-4) joined Stubbs with multi-hit games in the win.
Las Vegas grabbed a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second with two extra base hits. First, Bryce Brentz smacked a solo shot to right-center. It was his second bomb in as many days. Then, Gavin Cecchini clobbered a double to left, plating David Thompson. The advantage expanded to 5-0 in the bottom of the third when Brentz doubled deep to left, scoring one. Then, former Grizzly Johnny Monell spanked a single to left, knocking in two more. Zach Borenstein vaulted the 51s lead to 7-0 in the bottom of the fourth when he blasted a two-run home run to left. It was his fourth homer of the season.
Fresno started their comeback in the top of the seventh when Kemp laced a single to left, allowing Davis to jog home. The Grizzlies added four more runs in the top of the eighth, bringing 10 batters to the plate. Davis scored Kyle Tucker with a RBI double to left. Then, Kemmer laced a triple to deep center and he was knocked in with a Stubbs single to right. Finally, Drew Ferguson trimmed the deficit to 7-5 when he reached on an infield hit. With the single, Ferguson extended his team-high hit streak to 12 games.
On to the ninth now, where Jacob Rhame looked to close things out. A.J. Reed had other ideas, tying the game with a monster two-run bomb to right. It was his first blast of the season. The Grizzlies took an 8-7 lead when Kemp roped a double to left, scoring Davis. Then, a passed ball allowed by Monell brought home two more runs, making it 10-7. In the bottom half of the inning, despite allowing a run, Fresno closer Brendan McCurry locked down his third save of the season.
Matt Ramsey (1-1) earned the win after striking out two in a perfect eighth while Rhame (0-1) suffered the loss.
The two teams are back at it Friday night for the finale of the four-game series. The Grizzlies look to win their fourth straight series behind LHP Kent Emanuel (1-0, 0.82). He battles Las Vegas LHP P.J. Conlon (0-0, 6.75). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PT from Cashman Field.
