Top half of the lineup jolts Fresno past Inland Empire 11-8 on Wednesday

San Bernardino, CA (Wednesday, August 10) – The Fresno Grizzlies (62-42, 21-17) vanquished the Inland Empire 66ers (53-51, 21-17) 11-8 Wednesday night from San Manuel Stadium. Fresno won their fourth straight game where the contest was decided in the eighth inning, as the Grizzlies scored three runs to break an 8-8 tie. The clubs combined to score 19 runs on 24 hits, nine walks and four hit-by-pitches.

The top four batters of the Fresno lineup highlighted the victory. They combined to go 8-for-16 with a homer, three doubles, nine RBI, six runs, two walks and a pair of hit-by-pitches. Leadoff hitter Adael Amador was not retired on the evening, reaching base five times. He smacked two singles, drove in a pair of runs and scored twice. The two-hole hitter Juan Brito ripped a pair of doubles, providing three RBI. His two-run double in the eighth was the go-ahead base knock. The three-hole batter Yanquiel Fernandez extended his hit streak to 10 contests, tying a personal-season long. He roped a double to plate Brito in the eighth. Finally, cleanup hitter Juan Guerrero mashed a three-run tater to deep left field on a 3-2 offering. It was his 12th wallop of the year. Guerrero added two runs in the win.

Besides the top of the lineup, a few other Grizzlies had solid games at the dish. Yorvis Torrealba supplied two hits, which included an early RBI single and waltzed home once. Both Braxton Fulford and EJ Andrews Jr. spanked singles with the latter scoring one run. AJ Lewis and Ben Sems each drew walks with Sems picking up his 10th bases-on-balls in his last seven affairs.

Thanks to the late run support, sidearm righty Francis Rivera (2-0) relished his second victory in a Fresno uniform. Lefty Tanner Propst received a hold for a stellar 1-2-3 eighth and Angel Chivilli wrapped up his fourth save. Starter Cullen Kafka did not factor in the decision after five innings of three-run ball. He allowed eight hits and fanned three batters. On the other side, 66ers southpaw Joey Walsh took a no-decision after five frames of work as well. He permitted four runs on seven hits while punching out two. Gabriel Hernandez struck out five over two clean innings of relief. Alex Martinez (2-2) suffered the setback after not recording an out. The squads pooled together to fan 18 batters.

Inland Empire’s offense notched 12 hits with half of them landing for doubles. Both Jeremy Arocho and Luke Franzoni were not retired on the night, merging to go 7-for-7 with three doubles, RBI and runs. Arocho swiped two bags and Franzoni drew a pair of walks. BJ Boyd and Edgar Quero yielded two hits apiece, smacking a pair of doubles and inching across three RBI. The clubs are back to battle tomorrow evening from San Manuel Stadium.

Top Performers: Fresno Grizzlies (Colorado Rockies)

• LF Juan Guerrero (3-5, HR, 3 RBI, 2 R)

• SS Adael Amador (2-2, 2 RBI, 2 R, BB, 2 HBP, CS)

• 2B Juan Brito (2-5, 2 2B, 3 RBI, R)

• DH Yorvis Torrealba (2-4, RBI, R, BB, CS)

• RF Yanquiel Fernandez (1-4, 2B, RBI, R, BB)

Top Performers: Inland Empire 66ers (Los Angeles Angels)

• 3B Jeremy Arocho (4-4, 2B, 3 RBI, R, 2 SB)

• 1B Luke Franzoni (3-3, 2 2B, 2 R, 2 BB)

• DH BJ Boyd (2-5, 2B, 2 RBI, R)

• C Edgar Quero (2-4, 2B, RBI, R)

On Deck:

Thursday, August 11 @ Inland Empire 66ers, Fresno RHP Brayan Castillo (1-4, 6.05) vs. Inland Empire RHP Fernando Guanare (3-3, 6.63), 7:05 pm PT

ON THAT FRES-NOTES:

Every Fresno starter reached base at least once in the triumph.

The Grizzlies scored three runs in the fifth and eighth while plating four in the sixth.

The Grizzlies also won the first two games of the series last season against the 66ers. Fresno would win the third contest before falling in the final three affairs.