The Fresno Grizzlies (61-43) swept the Iowa Cubs (37-66) 5-4 in 10 frames Thursday night from Chukchansi Park. For the sixth time this season, Fresno enjoyed a walk-off win, this time off the bat of Tyler White (2-for-3). The Grizzlies secured their 15th series victory and third sweep of 2018
The Fresno Grizzlies (61-43) swept the Iowa Cubs (37-66) 5-4 in 10 frames Thursday night from Chukchansi Park. For the sixth time this season, Fresno enjoyed a walk-off win, this time off the bat of Tyler White (2-for-3). The Grizzlies secured their 15th series victory and third sweep of 2018 (Reno, Round Rock). They improved to 4-4 in extra innings (3-2 at home), 14-17 in one-run affairs and 13-4 versus the American conference with two resulting in sweeps.
White provided Fresno a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first with a sacrifice fly to right, knocking in Jake Marisnick. During the contest, White extended the current team-high hit streak to 12 games. In that span, he is 16-for-43 (.372), with seven extra-base knocks, 16 RBI, 13 runs and eight free passes. This is White's second instance with a 12-game hit streak (May 4-18).
Jacob Hannemann knotted the contest at one in the visitor's half of the fifth with a sacrifice fly to center, plating Taylor Davis. Iowa grabbed a 4-1 advantage in the top of the sixth. Ryan Court spanked a double down the left field line, adding Mark Zagunis. Court lengthened his hit streak to 20 games. Then, Jason Vosler (3-for-5) stroked a single to right, counting Court. Finally, Vosler raced home after a Trey Martin RBI bunt single.
AJ Reed trimmed the deficit to 4-3 in the bottom of the sixth when he hammered a two-run shot to right-center field. It was his 22nd homer of the season (team-high) and 71st in a Grizzly uniform, passing Brett Pill for third all-time. Damon Minor (79) and Todd Linden (84) are up next on the list. On the year, Reed has 82 RBI (best in Triple-A) and is on pace for 110, which would break the Grizzlies single-season record held by Scott McClain (108).
In the bottom of the seventh, back-to-back singles by Nick Tanielu (2-for-4) and Jamie Ritchie (2-for-4) put Fresno into business. They would cash in the tying run thanks to a throwing error.
White would end the game in the home half of the 10th when he mashed a double to the left-center gap, bringing in Derek Fisher. That would give the Grizzlies a 5-4 victory.
Brendan McCurry (5-4) hurled two scoreless innings, notching the win. On the other hand, Craig Brooks (1-1) suffered the loss.
Both starters took no-decisions after pitching six frames each. Mike Hauschild was charged with four runs (three earned), eight hits, a pair of walks and two whiffs. Jen-Ho Tseng scattered three runs (two earned), on four hits, a walk and four punchouts.
Stephen Bruno (3-for-5) and Bijan Rademacher (2-for-4) supplied multi-hit affairs in the defeat.
With the win, Fresno's division lead over Tacoma and Reno rose to 10 games with the magic number now at 27. Now 18 games over .500, the Grizzlies have equaled their high-water mark of 2018.
The homestand continues Friday night from Chukchansi Park when the Storm Chasers come to town for a four-game set. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PT. Fresno righty Brock Dykxhoorn (5-1, 2.93) and Omaha RHP Arnaldo Hernandez (1-0, 1.65) are the probable arms.
