The Fresno Grizzlies (47-32) ended the El Paso Chihuahuas (42-38) eight-game winning streak with a convincing 12-4 victory Thursday night from Southwest University Park. Fresno avoided being swept for the first time this season (20 series). The last time the Grizzlies saw the brooms were at El Paso last year
The Fresno Grizzlies (47-32) ended the El Paso Chihuahuas (42-38) eight-game winning streak with a convincing 12-4 victory Thursday night from Southwest University Park. Fresno avoided being swept for the first time this season (20 series). The last time the Grizzlies saw the brooms were at El Paso last year from August 28-31. Fresno mashed 17 hits with all nine starters recording at least one hit and six picking up multi-hits. They also didn't fan once in the contest.
Mike Hauschild (6-6, win) enjoyed the support. He worked five and one-third frames, scattering five hits, two runs (earned), walking three and punching out five. Hauschild earned his 28th win as a Grizzly, placing him in a tie for third all-time.
For the third consecutive game, the Grizzlies opened the scoring, going up 3-0. In the top of the first, Kyle Tucker (2-for-4) nailed a solo shot to center field. He expanded his team-high hit streak to 17 games thanks to his 13th wallop of the year. During the span, Tucker is 34-for-72 (.472), with five home runs, seven doubles, 16 RBI, 18 runs, seven walks and six steals. With 62 RBI on the season, he trails fellow teammate AJ Reed by five for the most in Triple-A. Still in the frame, Taylor Jones (3-for-5) pummeled a two-run homer to left-center field in his first Triple-A at-bat.
Derek Fisher (2-for-4) extended the advantage to 5-0 in the visitor's half of the third when he belted a two-run dinger to left-center field. It was his fourth big fly of the season.
El Paso trimmed the deficit to 5-2 in the bottom of the fourth. Carlos Asuaje spanked a triple to right, netting Luis Urías (leadoff walk). Asuaje then scurried home on a groundout to third.
Chihuahuas starter Colin Rea (1-1, loss) chucked five innings, allowing seven hits, five runs (three earned) while walking one.
Antonio Nunez (2-for-4) inched Jon Kemmer across the plate in the top of the sixth with a sacrifice fly to center, making it 6-2 Grizzlies. Kemmer destroyed a pitch in the top of the seventh, giving Fresno a 9-2 lead. It was his 11th longball of the season and the fourth of the night by the club. In the visitor's half of the eighth, the Grizzlies stretched the advantage to 12-2. Nick Tanielu (3-for-5) waltzed home on a single by Tucker. Then, Garrett Stubbs (2-for-5) roped a double to right, knocking in Tucker. Finally, Stubbs would waltz in on a single to right by Jones.
In the bottom of the eighth, Fresno reliever Riley Ferrell allowed a pair of runs in his Triple-A debut. A Shane Peterson single and Brett Nicholas groundout helped the Chihuahuas cut the deficit to 12-4.
Up eight in the ninth, James Hoyt closed the door with three quick outs. He and Reymin Guduan combined for two-plus shutout innings. The Grizzlies improved to 35-10 when scoring first, 29-5 when notching 10 or more hits, 9-7 in the fourth game of a series and 24-15 on the road.
Fresno continues the road trip with a five-game set starting Friday night in Sacramento. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 pm PT from Raley Field. Grizzlies RHP Trent Thornton (5-5, 3.01) and River Cats RHP Johnny Cueto (0-0, 0.00, MLB rehab) are the probable starters.
