Brito, Fresno settles for series split with Modesto
Modesto, CA (Sunday, June 5) – The Fresno Grizzlies (32-19) slipped to the Modesto Nuts (24-27) 7-4 Sunday afternoon from John Thurman Field. With the loss, Fresno split the six-game series, the second time they have done that with Modesto this year. Despite the setback, the Grizzlies still hold a
Modesto, CA (Sunday, June 5) – The Fresno Grizzlies (32-19) slipped to the Modesto Nuts (24-27) 7-4 Sunday afternoon from John Thurman Field. With the loss, Fresno split the six-game series, the second time they have done that with Modesto this year. Despite the setback, the Grizzlies still hold a two and a half-game division lead over the San Jose Giants with 15 games left in the first half.
In the top of the second, Juan Brito gave the Grizzlies a 1-0 lead after he tripled to the right-center gap. Two innings later, Brito and Zach Kokoska pushed the advantage to 3-0 after a pair of sacrifice flies. Brito finished his contest with a triple, double and two RBI.
The Nuts cut the deficit to 3-2 in the fourth from a groundout and Milkar Perez RBI double. Modesto grabbed a 4-3 lead in the fifth from an Edwin Arroyo RBI single and wild pitch. In the seventh, Fresno knotted the affair at four with their third sacrifice fly of the afternoon. Adael Amador relished the RBI and EJ Andrews Jr. recorded the run.
In the eighth, the Nuts mustered three runs thanks to another wild pitch and a Brett Rodriguez 2-RBI single. The 7-4 advantage would hold as lefty Jorge Benitez (2-1) wrapped up the win. He chucked two frames of scoreless relief.
Grizzlies’ southpaw Mason Green did not factor in the decision after five innings of work. He allowed four runs and struck out a quartet of batters. Luis Amoroso (0-3) was tagged the defeat after two frames and Tyler Ahearn added an inning for Fresno. Nuts’ starter Michael Morales took a no-decision after permitting a trio of runs in four frames. Kelvin Nunez tossed three fantastic innings for Modesto. Both teams are off on Monday.
Top Performers: Fresno Grizzlies (Colorado Rockies)
• 2B Juan Brito (2-3, 3B, 2B, 2 RBI)
• C Hunter Goodman (1-3, 2B, 2 R, BB)
• CF EJ Andrews Jr. (2-4, 2B, R)
Top Performers: Modesto Nuts (Seattle Mariners)
• 2B Brett Rodriguez (1-3, 2 RBI, R, BB, SB)
• 3B Milkar Perez (1-3, 2B, RBI, R, BB)
• CF Jonatan Clase (2-4, 2B, 2 R)
On Deck:
Tuesday, June 7 vs. Visalia Rawhide, Visalia LHP Diomede Sierra (1-1, 4.50) vs. Fresno RHP Jarrod Cande (1-1, 2.65), 6:50 pm PT
ON THAT FRES-NOTES:
Skipper Robinson Cancel is four games away from 300 wins as a Minor League manager.