The Fresno Grizzlies (63-45) beat the Omaha Storm Chasers (49-58) 5-3 Monday night from Chukchansi Park. With the victory, Fresno earned a series split and improved to 8-8 in two-run affairs. The win kept the Grizzlies division lead over the Reno Aces at eight games with 32 left to play.Starter
The Fresno Grizzlies (63-45) beat the Omaha Storm Chasers (49-58) 5-3 Monday night from Chukchansi Park. With the victory, Fresno earned a series split and improved to 8-8 in two-run affairs. The win kept the Grizzlies division lead over the Reno Aces at eight games with 32 left to play.
Starter Josh James (5-4, win) continued his outstanding season, going six and one-third innings, giving up three runs. He also allowed four hits and a walk while striking out eight. In 13 Triple-A starts, James has punched out 109 batters in 71 and one-third frames. On the other hand, Trevor Oaks (7-5) took the loss for Omaha. He lasted five innings, scattering eight hits, five runs (earned), walking one and fanning five. His earned run average rose to 2.39.
Fresno rumbled out to a 2-0 advantage in the bottom of the second when Antonio Nunez spanked a two-run single to right. Jamie Ritchie (2-for-4) and Nick Tanielu were the recipients of the runs.
Omaha regained a 3-2 lead in the top of the third thanks to three two-out hits. A Terrance Gore double was rewarded by a Billy Burns RBI single to center. After a free pass to Nicky Lopez, Frank Schwindel rocked a double to left, plating both Burns and Lopez.
The Grizzlies grabbed a 5-3 advantage in the home half of the third. Back-to-back doubles by Taylor Jones (2-for-3) and AJ Reed netted a run. It was Reed's 84th RBI of the season (best in Triple-A). He is on pace for 109 RBI on the year, which would break Scott McClain's franchise record of 108 in 2008. Reed would come around to score on a homer to right field by Yordan Alvarez. The two-run dinger was his fourth in Triple-A.
Relievers Buddy Boshers (hold) and Riley Ferrell (save) combined to whiff three hitters in two and two-third scoreless frames. Ferrell secured his first save in the process. The staff finished the evening with 11 strikeouts, giving them a 2018-total of 1,039, which is the best in the PCL.
Both squads enjoy an off-day on Tuesday with the Grizzlies heading to Tennessee for a three-game series versus the Sounds. The opener starts Wednesday night at 5:05 PT from First Tennessee Park. Fresno RHP Cy Sneed (9-5, 3.51) tangles with Nashville LHP Eric Jokisch (3-9, 4.69).
