9th inning rally comes up short as Fresno falls to Stockton 10-8

Fresno, CA (Saturday, May 28) – The Fresno Grizzlies (28-16) were defeated by the Stockton Ports (17-27) 10-8 Saturday night from Chukchansi Park. With the setback, Fresno dropped to 12-2 against the Ports this year and 29-9 versus Stockton over the past two seasons. Over the 14 games in 2022, the Grizzlies have outscored the Ports 106-56 (+50 run differential).

In the top of the second, the Ports seized a 3-0 lead thanks to a trio of RBI hits. T.J. Schofield-Sam and Robert Puason laced back-to-back doubles while Max Muncy lined a single to left. The Grizzlies tied the contest in the fourth from a pair of homers. Hunter Goodman mashed a two-run tater to left field, his 11th of the season. It was also Goodman’s second straight affair going deep. Then, Juan Brito smashed a solo shot to right, his fifth of the year.

Fresno gained control in the fifth when Warming Bernabel ripped a single to left, adding Braiden Ward. In the seventh and eighth, Stockton supplied seven runs with four of them coming from Nick Brueser. His grand slam to center made it 10-4 Ports. In the ninth, the Grizzlies notched four runs of their own thanks to Trevor Boone. The Oklahoma State product launched the first Fresno grand slam of the season to deep left field. After a single and double, the Grizzlies had the tying run at second with two outs. Unfortunately, a strikeout by Aaron Cohn (save, 1) ended the contest and Fresno fell 10-8.

Ports starter Mitch Myers (2-2) earned the win after six and two-thirds innings of four-run baseball. He allowed seven hits and fanned four. Grizzlies’ righty Victor Juarez did not factor in the decision after five solid frames. Juarez finished with six punchouts. Luis Amoroso (0-1) suffered the defeat after permitting three runs in relief. The Grizzlies’ pitching staff has struck out 119 batters over their past 10 contests against the Ports. Both clubs conclude the series tomorrow afternoon from Chukchansi Park.

Top Performers: Fresno Grizzlies (Colorado Rockies)

• 1B Trevor Boone (1-3, HR, 4 RBI, R, BB, SB)

• C Hunter Goodman (2-5, HR, 2B, 2 RBI, R)

• 2B Juan Brito (3-4, HR, RBI, 2 R)

• 3B Warming Bernabel (3-5, 2B, RBI, R)

Top Performers: Stockton Ports (Oakland Athletics)

• 1B Nick Brueser (2-4, HR, 4 RBI, 2 R)

• 3B T.J. Schofield-Sam (3-5, 2B, RBI, 3 R)

• 2B Robert Puason (2-5, 2B, RBI, 2 R)

On Deck:

Sunday, May 29 vs. Stockton Ports, Stockton RHP Grant Judkins (1-0, 4.40) vs. Fresno LHP Mason Green (3-1, 2.29), 1:05 pm PT

ON THAT FRES-NOTES:

All five games of the series have been decided by one or two runs.

Braiden Ward swiped his 26th base of the season and has yet to be caught still. That is the best mark in Minor League Baseball.