Andrews Jr. hits inside-the-park home run as Grizzlies lose 10-5 to Giants on Tuesday 

San Jose, CA (Tuesday, August 8) – The Fresno Grizzlies (63-40, 27-10) fell to the San Jose Giants (57-46, 17-20) 10-5 Tuesday evening from Excite Ballpark. The Grizzlies dropped to a Minor League-best 27-10 in the second half, 30-11 in their last 41 games and 40-14 in their last 54 contests. Fresno suffered back-to-back losses for the first time since May 29-June 2 at San Jose, spanning 54 games. They lost four in a row at that given point. The Grizzlies are 7-2 over their last nine games against the Giants.

The squads played a sloppy game, combining for nine errors, which resulted in nine unearned runs. The nine errors are the most combined errors in a single game for the Grizzlies this season. Seven of Fresno’s 10 runs allowed were unearned while two of San Jose’s five runs permitted were unearned. The Grizzlies also gave up a season-high six stolen bases with five of them coming in the first four innings of play. Fresno and San Jose pooled together 10 walks as well on Tuesday.

The Grizzlies offense tallied eight hits with three of them landing for extra-bases. EJ Andrews Jr. had the biggest hit of the night, a two-run, inside-the-park homer in the second frame. It was Andrews Jr.’s 10th clout of the year and Fresno’s first inside-the-park wallop of 2023. The last Grizzlies inside-the-park round tripper came off the bat of Warming Bernabel on April 29, 2022 at Stockton in the third inning. Jake Snider and Luis Mendez each relished a double plus a run. The last four batters in the Fresno lineup picked up a run and hit.

The Giants offense produced 10 runs on 11 hits and the plethora of Grizzlies mistakes. San Jose scored in four separate innings with a quartet of runs scampering home in the seventh. Scott Bandura reached base safely all five times in his Giants’ debut. The Princeton product and Giants 7th round draft pick in 2023 went 3-for-3 with a three-run bomb to center in the fifth. Bandura scored three times as well in the win. P.J. Hilson, Turner Hill and Onil Perez reached base a combined 10 times, yielding four runs.

Fresno starter Gabriel Barbosa (7-4) took the defeat after four and two-thirds innings of work. Barbosa allowed six runs (two earned), on seven hits and two walks while fanning four. It was Barbosa’s first losing decision since April 30 vs. San Jose, spanning 13 appearances. The Grizzlies now hold a 2-7 record in starts made by Barbosa (9-0 as a reliever). San Jose southpaw Nomar Medina lasted four innings in a no-decision effort. The Giants bullpen of Wilkelma Castillo (3-0, win) and Cameron Cotter shut down the Grizzlies for five frames. They allowed one unearned run and punched out four. The series continues tomorrow afternoon from the South Bay.

Top Performers: Fresno Grizzlies (Colorado Rockies)

• RF EJ Andrews Jr. (2-4, HR, 2 RBI, R)
• PH/2B Luis Mendez (1-3, 2B, R)
• DH Jake Snider (1-4, 2B, R)

Top Performers: San Jose Giants (San Francisco Giants)

• LF Scott Bandura (3-3, HR, 3 RBI, 3 R, 2 BB, SB)
• RF P.J. Hilson (2-4, 2B, 2 RBI, R, SB)
• C Onil Perez (2-4, 2 R, BB, SB)

On Deck:

Wednesday, August 9 @ San Jose Giants, Fresno LHP Michael Prosecky (9-5, 3.06) vs. San Jose RHP Mikell Manzano (0-0, 0.00), 1:00 pm PT

ON THAT FRES-NOTE:

The Grizzlies turned two 6-4-3 double plays in the setback.