The Fresno Grizzlies (67-51) avoided a four-game series sweep with an 8-4 win over the El Paso Chihuahuas (57-61) in the series finale on Thursday night. The victory snapped a six-game losing streak, which was the longest such streak of the season for Fresno. Seven Fresno batters had multiple hits
The Fresno Grizzlies (67-51) avoided a four-game series sweep with an 8-4 win over the El Paso Chihuahuas (57-61) in the series finale on Thursday night. The victory snapped a six-game losing streak, which was the longest such streak of the season for Fresno. Seven Fresno batters had multiple hits in the win while the home team increased their Minor League Baseball-leading home run total to 181, which trails their parent club, the Houston Astros, by just five for the lead in all of professional baseball.
Preston Tucker (2-for-5) and A.J. Reed (3-for-5) went back-to-back with solo home runs in the opening frame to give the Grizzlies a 2-0 lead. Tucker's shot to right was his 22nd homer of the season for his team-leading 82nd RBI. For Reed, the bomb to center was his club-leading 25th homer of the season and third in three consecutive games; all solo shots.
The Chihuahuas strung along a few doubles in the second to jump out in front 3-2. Rocky Gale's (3-for-4) RBI double drove home Christian Villanueva who also doubled and then Gale scored on a Diego Goris two-run double that also scored Chase d'Arnaud (2-for-3) who had walked to get on.
Fresno took the lead back in the bottom of the second frame. Drew Ferguson (2-for-4) knocked a RBI single that scored Garrett Stubbs (2-for-3) who led off the inning with a walk before a Tony Kemp (2-for-5) RBI single brought home Max Stassi (single, 2-for-3) to make the score 4-3.
The Grizzlies increased their lead to 8-3 with a four-run seventh inning. Three consecutive base hits started the frame before Stubbs knocked a two-run double to the left field wall. Stassi then hit a two-RBI single that brought home Stubbs and Jack Mayfield (3-for-4). Mayfield had gotten on base with a bunt single, his third hit of the night. His season-long hit streak was extended to eight games, which is also the current-club high.
El Paso tacked on a final run in the eighth when Ryan Schimpf hit his 16th home run of the season. The solo shot to right made the final score 8-4. Chihuahuas starter Chris Huffman (0-1) suffered the loss through the first five frames allowing four runs on 10 hits and two walks with five strikeouts.
Right-hander Mike Hauschild (6-2) earned the win for the Grizzlies. He allowed three runs on eight hits and two walks with three strikeouts. The Grizzlies are now 12-3 with Hauschild on the mound this season.
Fresno next hits the road for a four-game series at Albuquerque beginning on Friday. RHP Rogelio Armenteros (5-1, 2.97) will be on the mound for the Grizziles to face Isotopes LHP Ryan Carpenter (7-8, 4.61). First pitch is set for 6:05 p.m. PT.
