The El Paso Chihuahuas (42-37) won their eighth straight game Wednesday night, defeating the Fresno Grizzlies (46-32) 5-4 from Southwest University Park. Chihuahuas' starter Luis Perdomo (6-2, win) worked seven innings, scattering seven hits, three runs (earned), while fanning four. On the other hand, Grizzlies' starter Cy Sneed (7-4, loss)
The El Paso Chihuahuas (42-37) won their eighth straight game Wednesday night, defeating the Fresno Grizzlies (46-32) 5-4 from Southwest University Park. Chihuahuas' starter Luis Perdomo (6-2, win) worked seven innings, scattering seven hits, three runs (earned), while fanning four. On the other hand, Grizzlies' starter Cy Sneed (7-4, loss) hurled five innings, allowing nine hits, five runs (earned), walking one and punching out nine.
Fresno clawed out to a 1-0 advantage in the top of the first. Myles Straw (2-for-4) looped a leadoff single to right before swiping second. It was his eighth Triple-A steal and 43rd overall (35 at Double-A). Straw leads all of Minor League Baseball in that category. He would come around to score on two productive groundouts with Tim Federowicz picking up the RBI.
Garrett Stubbs pushed the lead to 2-0 in the top of the second when he launched a solo shot to right field. It was his second homer of the season and his first on the road. In the visitor's half of the third, Straw tripled to right and waltzed home on a double by Kyle Tucker. The two-bagger made it 3-0 and expanded his team-high hit streak to 16 games. During the span, Tucker is 32-for-68 (.471), with four home runs, seven doubles, 14 RBI, 16 runs, six walks and five steals. With 60 RBI on the season, he trails fellow teammate AJ Reed by seven for tops in Triple-A.
El Paso brought 11 batters to the plate in the bottom of the fourth, grabbing a 5-3 advantage. A sacrifice fly by Raffy Lopez started the carousel. Then, Shane Peterson (2-for-4) doubled to deep center, plating Carlos Asuaje. Next, Brett Nicholas lined a two-run single to center, putting the Chihuahuas ahead. Finally, Diego Goris (3-for-4) roped a double to left, adding Nicholas.
In the ninth, the Grizzlies cut the deficit to 5-4 with a single by Jon Kemmer (3-for-4), recording Derek Fisher (2-for-4). With runners on the corners and two outs, Phil Maton closed the door with a groundout, preserving a win.
Fresno reliever Dean Deetz struck out four in two scoreless frames in his 2018 debut. The Grizzlies are on the hook to being swept for the first time this season. They fall to 34-10 when scoring first.
Both teams finish the set with game four tomorrow night from Southwest University Park. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 pm PT. Fresno RHP Mike Hauschild (5-6, 4.98) and El Paso fellow righty Colin Rea (1-0, 1.50) are the probable starters.
