Grizzlies’ comeback squandered with 2-out, 9th inning homer by Rawhide, lose 6-4

Fresno, CA (Tuesday, May 9) – The Fresno Grizzlies (14-14) suffered a tough loss Tuesday morning, as they were stunned 6-4 by the Visalia Rawhide (11-17) in a closely contested game at Chukchansi Park. The Grizzlies fell to 35-8 all-time against the Rawhide and experienced their first setback at Chukchansi Park in three seasons (18-1). Fresno also saw their 13-game winning streak against Visalia come to an end. Despite a strong effort from Grizzlies second baseman Luis Mendez, who went 3-for-4 with a double, three RBI and a stolen base, the game slipped away from Fresno in the ninth inning.

The game started off with both teams battling for an early advantage. The Rawhide struck first in the third when Juan Corniel doubled to left field, followed by a single from Anderdson Rojas that brought Corniel home. The Grizzlies responded in the bottom of the frame as Mendez laced a double down the right-field line, driving in Jake Snider, leveling the score at one. However, the Rawhide regained the lead in the fourth from a Julio Carrion solo shot to left field and a Brett Johnson RBI double.

As the game progressed, both squads struggled to produce runs, with solid pitching and defense on display. Fresno pitching had retired 12 straight Visalia batters from the fourth to the eighth. The Grizzlies managed to stage a late rally in the eighth inning, sparked by a Skyler Messinger double and a walk to pinch hitter Parker Kelly. Snider's timely single drove in a run and Mendez followed suit with a two-RBI single, giving the Grizzlies a 4-3 lead heading into the final frame.

Unfortunately for Fresno, Visalia had one last surge left in them. After two quick outs and back-to-back walks in the ninth inning, Jose Fernandez stepped up to the plate and delivered a crushing blow—a three-run homer to left-center field that turned the score in favor of the Rawhide. The Grizzlies couldn't mount a comeback in the bottom of the ninth, sealing their defeat.

Alfred Morillo (3-0) enjoyed the win and Zach Agnos (0-2) took the defeat. Rawhide starter Jacob Steinmetz tossed six innings of one-run ball. He allowed four hits and fanned seven without issuing a walk. Grizzlies’ southpaw Caleb Franzen matched Steinmetz with six strong frames of three-run ball. Brady Hill added two scoreless innings for Fresno.

Today’s article was written by ChatGPT

Top Performers: Fresno Grizzlies (Colorado Rockies)

• 2B Luis Mendez (3-4, 2B, 3 RBI, SB)
• LF Jake Snider (2-4, RBI, 2 R, SB)
• DH Skyler Messinger (1-4, 2B, R)

Top Performers: Visalia Rawhide (Arizona Diamondbacks)

• SS Jose Fernandez (2-5, HR, 3 RBI, R)
• 1B Julio Carrion (1-4, HR, RBI, R)
• RHP Jacob Steinmetz (6.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K)

On Deck:

Wednesday, May 10 vs. Visalia Rawhide, Visalia RHP Joe Elbis (0-1, 3.86) vs. Fresno RHP Blake Adams (1-0, 1.17), 6:50 pm PT

ON THAT FRES-NOTES:

Over their past three games, the Grizzlies have scored 25 of their 28 runs in innings 7-9. In the last two games, Fresno has recorded 15 runs in the eighth inning.

The Grizzlies welcomed over 4,000 students to Chukchansi Park for the second of three Making the Grade games of 2023.