The El Paso Chihuahuas (41-37) won their seventh straight game Tuesday night, beating the Fresno Grizzlies (46-31) 9-5 from Southwest University Park. For only the second time this season, Fresno dropped the first two games of a series (Reno, opening weekend). Both teams combined for 21 hits with 12 going
The El Paso Chihuahuas (41-37) won their seventh straight game Tuesday night, beating the Fresno Grizzlies (46-31) 9-5 from Southwest University Park. For only the second time this season, Fresno dropped the first two games of a series (Reno, opening weekend). Both teams combined for 21 hits with 12 going for extra-bases (nine doubles). Grizzlies' starter Brock Dykxhoorn (2-1, loss) couldn't get out of the third, lasting two and one-third innings, allowing seven hits, six runs (earned), walking one and whiffing a pair. It was his first Triple-A defeat. Chihuahuas' Kyle McGrath (3-2) earned the decision after one and one-third frames of scoreless relief.
Kyle Tucker gave Fresno a 1-0 lead in the top of the first when he belted a solo shot to left field. It was his 12th bomb of the year and his second in as many days. Tucker also expanded his team-high hit streak to 15 games, the second Grizzly to reach that threshold in 2018 (Tony Kemp, 20, April 23-May 14). During the span, Tucker is 31-for-64 (.484), with four dingers, six doubles, 13 RBI, 16 runs, six walks and five steals.
Nick Tanielu lengthened the lead to 4-0 in the top of the second when he crushed a three-run homer to left-center field. Tim Federowicz (leadoff double) and Derek Fisher (walk) were recorded on the play. It was Tanielu's second longball of the season, with both coming in the series.
El Paso rallied to grab a 6-4 advantage in the bottom of the third. Shane Peterson (3-for-4) started the scoring when he powered a pitch over the wall in right field. The two-run wallop was his seventh of the year and his third versus Fresno. Then, five consecutive hits highlighted by a go-ahead RBI double from Franmil Reyes (2-for-4) made it 6-4.
The Chihuahuas stretched the lead to 9-4 in the bottom of the fourth. First, Forrestt Allday (2-for-4) singled to right, plating Peterson. Then, Reyes punched a double to center, bringing home a pair.
Federowicz (2-for-5) reduced the deficit to 9-5 in the top of the fifth when he delivered a double to left, knocking in J.D. Davis. That would end the evening for El Paso starter Seth Simmons. He tossed four-plus innings, scattering six hits, five runs (earned), walking four and striking out three.
A four-run advantage was enough for Phil Maton, who closed the door on Fresno in the ninth. Brett Nicholas and Carlos Asuaje added multi-hits for the Chihuahuas. Reliever Buddy Boshers punched out five in two shutout innings for the Grizzlies.
Both teams continue the set with game three of four tomorrow night from Southwest University Park. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 pm PT. Fresno RHP Cy Sneed (7-3, 2.97) gets the start, his first since being named PCL Pitcher of the Week. El Paso counters with righty Luis Perdomo (5-2, 3.02).
