Errors plague Fresno in 8-3 setback to Visalia

Visalia, CA (Wednesday, August 18) – The Fresno Grizzlies (61-31) fell to the Visalia Rawhide (25-67) 8-3 Wednesday evening from Valley Strong Ballpark. Despite the defeat, Fresno still owns a 17-3 record against Visalia, outscoring them 124-77. The Grizzlies are now 12-4 in the second game of a series, 34-15 when crushing a clout and 28-10 against the Low-A West South Division.

Fresno’s offense mustered six hits with Mateo Gil supplying a pair of them. Gil blasted a two-run homer in the second, his sixth longball of the 2021 campaign. The ball nailed the scoreboard out in left-center field. Eddy Diaz recorded a single and his 39th stolen base with the Grizzlies. He is now two steals shy of tying Dante Powell for third all-time in single-season stolen bases. Zac Veen provided a single and RBI while Julio Carreras scored a run after he roped a double.

Eight of the nine Rawhide starters tallied at least one hit in the victory. S.P. Chen led the way with two hits and RBI. Jeferson Espinal added a pair of hits and runs, which included a double. Adrian Del Castillo laced a triple and netted a run for Visalia.

Grizzlies’ starter Noah Gotsis (0-2) suffered the decision after three and two-thirds innings. He permitted six runs (four earned) on six hits, one walk and three strikeouts. During his time on the bump, the Fresno defense committed three crucial errors, resulting in runs. Will Tribucher (0.1 IP), Anderson Pilar (2.0 IP) and Tanner Propst (1.0 IP) each tossed scoreless outings. Propst fanned all three batters he faced.

Visalia righty Luke Albright did not factor in the final line in his professional debut. Albright lasted two and one-third frames, punching out three. Newcomer Jake Rice (1-0) relished the triumph after striking out six over three and two-thirds scoreless innings. The squads clash in Game 3 of 6 tomorrow night from Valley Strong Ballpark.

Top Performers: Fresno Grizzlies (Colorado Rockies)

• 2B Mateo Gil (2-4, HR, 2 RBI, R)

• SS Julio Carreras (1-4, 2B, R)

• LHP Tanner Propst (1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K)

Top Performers: Visalia Rawhide (Arizona Diamondbacks)

• LHP Jake Rice (3.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 6 K; win)

• 2B S.P. Chen (2-3, 2 RBI, R, BB, SB)

• DH Jeferson Espinal (2-4, 2B, RBI, 2 R, SB)

On Deck:

Thursday, August 19 @ Visalia Rawhide, Fresno RHP Anderson Amarista (4-3, 6.54) vs. Visalia RHP Adrian Del Moral (0-7, 10.37), 6:00 pm PT

ON THAT FRES-NOTE:

Fresno has won 14 of their last 17, 16 of their last 20 and 22 of their last 28 road games. In that span, the Grizzlies pitching staff have tossed five shutouts and allowed three runs or fewer 18 times (17-1 record). Over seven away series, the Grizzlies have yet to lose one of them, picking up five wins and two ties. The two ties came against the San Jose Giants and Inland Empire 66ers, the first two road series for Fresno in 2021. That means the Grizzlies have won five straight road series.