Fresno Tacos attract national spotlight

FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno Tacos (65-47) had too much spice for the Sacramento River Cats (52-61) on Thursday night at Chukchansi Park as they grabbed a 7-4 win and another round of national headlines. The victory was met with a three-minute segment on SportsCenter featuring clips of the team in full Tacos uniform and the Taco Truck Throwdown 5 promotion. A record-breaking crowd of 16,916 devoured tacos and provided an incredible atmosphere to help power Fresno to their sixth straight win.

            Matt Duffy played King Taco by going 2-4 with a double, homer, four RBI, and two runs scored. His saucy two-run homer (16) in the fifth put the Tacos back on top 6-4 and set the course for the three-run win. The third baseman was also instrumental in providing Fresno with the early lead by doubling in Jonathan Villar and Alex Presley in the bottom of the first, while scoring one batter later on a Jon Singleton sacrifice fly to make it 3-0.

            The four RBI night by Duffy pushed his season total to 84, which ranks fourth overall in all of Minor League Baseball. He's on pace to finish with 107 RBI for the season, which would place him one shy of the franchise record set by Scott McClain in 2008.

Earlier On

            The Tacos held onto their early lead until the top of the fifth when Mark Appel couldn't seem to find a way to get the third out. He retired the first two batters of the inning on ground outs, but followed by allowing a walk, single, and another walk. He'd exit with a 4-3 lead, but reliever Jordan Jankowski gave up a game-tying RBI single to Darren Ford, with the run charged to Appel. Despite giving up the inherited run, Jankowski steadied Fresno and picked up his sixth win of the season after turning in 2.1 scoreless IP.

Homer Shy

            Jonathan Villar went 3-5 with a double, triple, and run scored, falling a homer short of the cycle. He struck out and popped out in his final two at bats.

Friday night 

            The Tacos are now 6-0 on their current homestand and will continue it Friday night when they turn back into the Fresno Grizzlies for the 7:05 PM game against the Sacramento River Cats. Fresno sends lefty Brett Oberholtzer to the mound to take on right-hander Chris Stratton. Promotions for the evening include Postgame Fireworks presented by 4G Wireless, Christian Fellowship Night, and Boy Scout Night. Gates to the park open at 6:05 PM, with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 PM.