The Fresno Grizzlies (35-38) opened a four-game series with the Sacramento River Cats (29-42) on Thursday night at Chukchansi park, part of a season-long 12-game homestand. Sacramento took the series opener by a score of 9-3.The River Cats jumped out in front early when Justin Ruggiano (2-for-3) hit his third
The Fresno Grizzlies (35-38) opened a four-game series with the Sacramento River Cats (29-42) on Thursday night at Chukchansi park, part of a season-long 12-game homestand. Sacramento took the series opener by a score of 9-3.
The River Cats jumped out in front early when Justin Ruggiano (2-for-3) hit his third home run of the season in the first inning, a solo shot off the batter's eye in center. In the third, a Ryder Jones (2-for-5) RBI double, a Chris Shaw (2-for-4) sacrifice fly, and a Jae-Gyun Hwang (2-for-5) RBI single increased their lead to 4-0.
Fresno got on the board in the bottom of the third when Preston Tucker (2-for-4) knocked a base hit to score Jon Kemmer who walked to get on. Sacramento quickly increased their lead to 9-1 with a five-run, nine-batter fifth. Mac Williamson (2-for-4) crushed a two-run homer to left while Jones drove in two more with another double and Ruggiano singled to drive in Ali Castillo. Williamson's home run was his ninth of the season.
The Grizzlies cut the River Cats lead to 9-3 in the fifth, but that would be all for the home club. Reid Brignac led off the inning by reaching on an error, which was followed by a Kemmer double. Tony Kemp (3-for-4) drove them both home with a two-RBI knock.
Righty Charlie Morton (0-1) started for the Grizzlies on a MLB rehab assignment and suffered the loss. He tossed 36 pitches through two innings and allowed one run on two hits and a walk with one strikeout. Trent Thornton followed the start in his first relief appearance of the season. Thornton allowed eight runs (seven earned) on nine hits through four innings. He walked two and struck out six.
Sacramento starter Andrew Suárez (1-1) earned his first win of the season through six innings. He allowed three runs (two earned) on seven hits and four walks with two strikeouts.
The Grizzlies and the River Cats will play the second of the four-game set on Friday night at 7:05 p.m. Probable starters are RHP Joan Gregorio (4-4, 3.04) for Sacramento, against RHP Mike Hauschild (4-1, 5.15) for Fresno.
