Déjà Vu! Fresno displays comeback claws in 8th again; beats San Jose 8-4 for series triumph 

Fresno, CA (Sunday, August 7) – The Fresno Grizzlies (60-42, 19-17) clawed past the San Jose Giants (58-44, 18-18) 8-4 Sunday evening from Chukchansi Park. The Grizzlies comeback claws were on full display in the eighth inning for the second straight night. Fresno brought 11 batters to the plate, scoring six runs on three hits. This was Fresno’s 13th comeback win in the seventh inning or later and sixth against San Jose in 2022 (five over the past 12 contests). The Grizzlies earned a series win over the Giants and improved to 36-18 at home overall.

The clubs played a ping-pong type of game through the first seven innings. Both sides came up empty in the first three frames. In the bottom of the fourth, Braxton Fulford pushed Fresno ahead 1-0 with a longball to deep center field. It was Fulford’s 10th homer of the season. San Jose would tie the affair at one in the fifth when Grant McCray reached on a fielding error and Yorlis Rodriguez raced home on the play. In the bottom of the fifth, the Grizzlies grabbed a 2-1 advantage when Juan Brito plated Yorvis Torrealba with a groundout. The Giants once again knotted the game after a sacrifice fly by Rodriguez in the sixth. San Jose took a 3-2 lead in the seventh when Jared Dupere smoked a single to right, adding Aeverson Arteaga. The Giants shortstop spanked a pair of doubles to help his final line.

Heading into the eighth, the Grizzlies claws started to glisten as the comeback was on. Yanquiel Fernandez led off the frame with a single and got to third after Juan Guerrero reached from a throwing error. Fernandez waltzed home a batter later on a Fulford sacrifice fly to left. Then, back-to-back walks loaded the bases for Torrealba. The designated hitter lined a 2-2 offering to right, creeping Fresno ahead 4-3. After a pitching change, Cuba Bess worked a full count walk, making it 5-3 Grizzlies. Next, Adael Amador provided the second productive out and sacrifice fly of the inning, creating a three-run lead for Fresno. Another walk would load the bags again for the Grizzlies. Finally, Fernandez skied a pop-up on the infield and it dropped right behind the pitcher’s mound. Two runs scampered home on the play, extending the advantage to 8-3 Grizzlies. The Giants mustered one final run in the ninth, but it wouldn’t be enough.

Fresno starter Jarrod Cande did not factor in the decision after five and two-thirds innings of work. He allowed a pair of runs (one earned) on four hits and two walks while striking out six. Tyler Ras notched the last out of the sixth inning, helping Cande preserve his statistics. Felix Ramires (2-2) was awarded the victory after two frames of one-run ball. Angel Chivilli wrapped up the win despite permitting one run. On the other side, San Jose southpaw Matt Mikulski hurled three scoreless innings, fanning four. Julio Rodriguez (3-2) was tagged with the loss after blowing a save opportunity in the eighth. Both squads will take Monday off before returning to action on Tuesday. The Grizzlies travel to face the Inland Empire 66ers.

Top Performers: Fresno Grizzlies (Colorado Rockies)

• C Braxton Fulford (1-2, HR, 2 RBI, R, BB)

• DH Yorvis Torrealba (2-3, 2B, RBI, 2 R, BB)

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

• SS Juan Brito (2 web gem defensive plays)

• RHP Jarrod Cande (5.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 6 K)

Top Performers: San Jose Giants (San Francisco Giants)

• SS Aeverson Arteaga (2-5, 2 2B, R)

• RF Jared Dupere (2-5, 2B, 2 RBI, R)

• 3B Yorlis Rodriguez (1-3, RBI, R, SB)

• CF Grant McCray (1-4, R, HBP)

• LHP Matt Mikulski (3.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K)

On Deck:

Tuesday, August 9 @ Inland Empire 66ers, Fresno RHP Jordy Vargas (0-0, 0.00) vs. Inland Empire RHP Connor Van Scoyoc (7-4, 4.81) , 7:05 pm PT

ON THAT FRES-NOTES:

Juan Brito played his first game at shortstop since 2019. Brito made two unbelievable plays with one starting a double play.

Both bullpens did not record a strikeout over eight and one-third combined innings.

Giants’ Carter Williams and Garrett Frechette roped two hits apiece.