The Fresno Grizzlies (69-52) fell 22-1 to the Albuquerque Isotopes (59-61) on Sunday night. A season-high in runs by an opponent this season, it was also the largest margin of defeat for Fresno. The 24 hits by the Isotopes were also a season-high by an opponent against the Grizzlies in
The Fresno Grizzlies (69-52) fell 22-1 to the Albuquerque Isotopes (59-61) on Sunday night. A season-high in runs by an opponent this season, it was also the largest margin of defeat for Fresno. The 24 hits by the Isotopes were also a season-high by an opponent against the Grizzlies in 2017. In series meetings between the clubs, it was the largest margin of victory and the most runs scored in a game by the winning team.
The Isotopes broke open the scoring in the second on a Tony Wolters (3-for-6) RBI double and a Rafael Ynoa (4-for-5) two-run single. In the third, Cristhian Adames (3-for-6) smacked a two-run homer to right. His 10th of the season scored Ryan Howard (double) to go ahead 5-0. The lead only increased in the fourth on a Raimel Tapia (4-for-4) sacrifice fly and a Mike Tauchman (4-for-5) RBI double.
Ynoa tallied his third RBI of the night in the fifth when he drove in Wolters (double) with a RBI single before a nine-batter, five-run sixth frame increased the Albuquerque lead to 13-0. Noel Cuevas (2-for-4) drove in his first run of the game while Adames racked up his fifth RBI of the night with a three-run double. Ynoa ended the inning with another RBI single.
Isotopes starter Zach Jemiola (5-3) earned the win for the home team. He allowed just two hits through a scoreless six innings for the quality start. He walked one and struck out four. With reliever Jairo Díaz on the mound, the Grizzlies were able to tack on a run to avoid being shutout.
In the top of the seventh, Jack Mayfield hit a RBI single that scored Preston Tucker who also singled to get on to put Fresno on the board, 13-1. Despite only four hits as a team in the contest, Drew Ferguson knocked a double and a single to go 2-for-3 for his second Triple-A multi-hit game of 2017.
Albuquerque finished the scoring with a nine-run seventh to take a 22-1 lead to the end. Tom Murphy (2-for-5) had two hits in the 14-batter inning for four RBI on the night. His fourth home run of the season was a three-run shot to left to go along with a RBI single. Wolters also homered in the inning. His two-run shot was his second of the season and third RBI of the game. Cuevas and Tapia each had run-scoring hits in the final scoring frame as well.
Fresno outfielder Alejandro Garcia made a relief appearance on the mound in the seventh to help get the last out of that inning. Right-hander Dean Deetz also made his first relief appearance of the season with a one-two-three eighth. Starter Trent Thornton (6-3) suffered the loss for the Grizzlies only lasting four innings. He allowed seven runs on 12 hits without a walk and three strikeouts.
The Grizzlies and the Isotopes will play the finale of this four-game series on Monday at 5:35 p.m. PT at Isotopes Park. While Albuquerque's pitcher is TBA, LHP Kent Emanuel (1-1, 6.93) will be on the mound for Fresno.
