Rainiers Fall In Fresno, 4-1

FRESNO, Calif. - The Tacoma Rainiers (31-22) dropped game two of the four-game series with the Fresno Grizzlies (25-30) 4-1 Friday night at Chukchansi Park.
Tacoma center fielder Leonys Martin (1x4, R) and second baseman Zach Shank (1x4, RBI) were the only Rainiers batters that managed hits in the losing effort.

Rainiers starter Chase De Jong (2-3) allowed six hits, four runs and zero walks while tallying six strikeouts through six innings Friday night. He was credited with the loss.
Martin singled, advanced to second on a balk and came around to score when Shank slapped an RBI single back up the middle, giving the Rainiers a 1-0 lead in the top half of the first.
Fresno answered in the bottom of the third as Juan Centeno lined an RBI single to center field, scoring Preston Tucker and tying the game at 1-1.
The Grizzlies and Rainiers then took a pitcher's duel into the seventh inning, but it was Fresno that finally broke through and took the lead. Max Stassi managed a leadoff single, then Reid Brignac and Jon Kemmer smacked back-to-back home runs to give the Grizzlies a 4-1 lead.
Tacoma lefty Dean Kiekhefer relieved De Jong and induced a double play to escape the inning. Kiekhefer tossed two scoreless innings and managed two strikeouts in his twenty first appearance of the season.
The Rainiers and Grizzlies return to action tomorrow night for game three of the four-game series. Righty David Martinez (2-1, 6.22) will take the mound for Fresno and right hander Cody Martin will make his first start of the season for Tacoma. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
All tickets, group outings and suites packages for the 2017 season are available for purchase in person at the Cheney Stadium Box Office, online at www.tacomarainiers.com, or over the phone at (253) 752-7707. The most up-to-date news and notes about the Rainiers throughout the season can be found by following the Rainiers on Twitter (@RainiersLand) or liking the team on Facebook.