Grizzlies drop series finale to 66ers 3-1 despite Aeilts clout

San Bernardino, CA (Sunday, May 30) – The Fresno Grizzlies (14-10) lost to the Inland Empire 66ers (11-12) 3-1 Sunday afternoon from San Manuel Stadium. With the defeat, Fresno settled for the series split. 10 of the last 12 games for the Grizzlies have been one or two-run affairs (4-6). Overall, 17 of the first 24 games for Fresno have been decided by two runs or less. The Grizzlies are 9-8 in those contests with a 5-4 mark on the road.

Seven different Fresno batters recorded a hit in the game with three going for extra-bases. Zac Veen and Julio Carreras each notched a double while Joe Aeilts enjoyed a solo homer. This was Aeilts’ second tater of the year, tying him for the club-high. Isaac Collins added a single and walk, bringing his average to .290 and OPS to .814.

The 66ers plated a pair of runs in the second from a double steal and Jose Guzman RBI single. They would extend the advantage in the seventh when Spencer Brown lasered a missile over the right field wall.

The trio of runs backed John Swanda’s (2-1, win) pitching performance. The righty went six scoreless innings, allowing four hits and a walk while punching out two. He would give way to Dakota Donovan (hold, 1) and Kolton Ingram (save, 4), who shut the door on a win. Grizzlies’ lefty Sam Weatherly (0-2) yielded the decision after five frames of work. He fanned seven and issued one walk. The squads will both savor an off day on Monday.

Top Performers: Fresno Grizzlies (Colorado Rockies)

• DH Joe Aeilts (1-4, HR, RBI, R)

• 2B Isaac Collins (1-3, BB)

• LHP Sam Weatherly (5.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 K)

Top Performers: Inland Empire 66ers (Los Angeles Angels)

• DH Spencer Brown (1-3, HR, RBI, R, BB)

• LF Caleb Scires (2-3, 2 2B, R, BB, SB)

• RHP John Swanda (6.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K)

On Deck:

Tuesday, June 1 vs Visalia Rawhide, Visalia RHP Austin Pope (0-2, 8.82) vs. Fresno RHP Will Ethridge (1-1, 2.75), 6:50 pm PT

ON THAT FRES-NOTE:

Reliever Juan Mejia is currently atop two pitching categories in the Low-A West. The right-hander leads the league in saves with six, two more than Chris Wright of San Jose and Travis Kuhn of Modesto. Mejia also has the league lead in appearances with 10. Starters Mike Ruff and Breiling Eusebio sit 1-2 in the Low-A West in innings pitched. Ruff has hurled 27.0 frames while Eusebio is right behind with 25.1 innings.