Early clout by Rancho Cucamonga downs Fresno 5-1

Fresno, CA (Tuesday, June 29) – The Fresno Grizzlies (30-19) lost to the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (25-23) 5-1 Tuesday evening from Chukchansi Park. Fresno dropped their fourth straight contest at home and fell to 6-3 in the first game of a series.

Rancho Cucamonga jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning when Alex De Jesus belted a two-out, three-run tater to deep left field. It was his seventh missile of the season. The advantage lengthened to 4-0 in the second on a passed ball and then to 5-0 in the seventh from a sacrifice fly.

The Grizzlies got on the board in the bottom half of the seventh, making it 5-1. Drew Romo laced a triple down the right field line and then scored on a Daniel Montano RBI single. Montano extended his current team-high hit streak to 11 games. Overall, eight of the nine Fresno starters notched a hit while every batter reached base once.

Three Quakes’ pitchers combined for the one-run, eight-hit affair. Jimmy Lewis lasted two-plus frames before handing the ball to Hyun-il Choi (4-3, win). The righty hurled five and one-third innings, punching out six. Carlos De Los Santos wrapped up the ninth with a scoreless frame.

On the other side, the Grizzlies staff struck out 12 batters. Sam Weatherly (2-4) fanned five over a career-high five and two-thirds innings. He was dealt the decision. Anderson Bido enjoyed one punchout after one and one-third frames of work. Tanner Propst and Blake Goldsberry both struck out the side in their one inning of relief.

Top Performers: Fresno Grizzlies (Colorado Rockies)

• C Drew Romo (1-4, 3B, R)

• LHP Tanner Propst & RHP Blake Goldsberry (2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 K)

• LHP Sam Weatherly (5.2 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 5 K)

Top Performers: Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (Los Angeles Dodgers)

• DH Alex De Jesus (1-4, HR, 3 RBI, R)

• RHP Hyun-il Choi (5.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 6 K)

• RF Ismael Alcantara (2-4)

On Deck:

Wednesday, June 30 vs. Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, Rancho Cucamonga RHP Kendall Williams (1-0, 4.50) vs. Fresno RHP Andrew DiPiazza (1-0, 2.25), 6:50 pm PT

ON THAT FRES-NOTE:

The Grizzlies will have three straight nights (Friday-Sunday) of fireworks following the conclusion of the games. To purchase tickets, visit FresnoGrizzlies.com, or call 559-320-8497 to speak to a member of our team or visit our box office during business hours.