Grizzlies “Weather”ly the Storm 4-1 to stop skid 

Lake Elsinore, CA (Wednesday, July 28) – The Fresno Grizzlies (49-25) ended their three-game skid with a 4-1 victory over the Lake Elsinore Storm (33-41) Wednesday night from Lake Elsinore Diamond. Fresno improved to 18-6 in July, 11-2 on Wednesday’s and 35-5 when allowing three runs or fewer. The Grizzlies maintained a one-game lead over the San Jose Giants for the best record in Low-A West.

It was all sunshine and rainbows for Fresno starter Sam Weatherly (4-6, win). The lefty dazzled for six innings, tying a career-high. He gave up one run on five hits while punching out six. His one blemish was from a Matthew Acosta solo shot in the second. Weatherly gave way to three relievers, who finished the final three frames. Juan Mejia struck out a pair in a perfect seventh, Gavin Hollowell fanned one in a flawless eighth and Robinson Hernandez picked up his ninth save with a clean ninth.

The one-run pitching performance was just enough for the Grizzlies offense. Grant Lavigne started the scoring in the first with a double to deep right field. The two-bagger plated Ezequiel Tovar, who walked with a pair of outs. Then, Drew Romo added Lavigne with a single to center. Romo extended his hit streak to eight games in the process. In the third, Tovar made it 3-1 when he blasted a solo shot to right field. Tovar’s opposite field bomb was his 11th of the year, knotting Zac Veen for the club-high. Finally, Fresno supplied an insurance run in the eighth thanks to a Lake Elsinore miscue. Tovar was the recipient of three of the four Grizzlies’ runs.

Righty Levi Thomas (2-5) took the loss for the Storm. Thomas chucked five strong innings before exiting the contest. Southpaw Gabe Morales followed Thomas with three scoreless frames and Keegan Collett threw the ninth, tallying two strikeouts. The clubs are back in action tomorrow night at 7:05 pm.

Top Performers: Fresno Grizzlies (Colorado Rockies)

• LHP Sam Weatherly (6.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 6 K)

• Bullpen (3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K)

• SS Ezequiel Tovar (2-3, HR, 3B, RBI, 3 R, BB)

Top Performers: Lake Elsinore Storm (San Diego Padres)

• 1B Matthew Acosta (1-3, HR, RBI, R)

• CF Robert Hassell III (2-4, CS)

• LHP Gabe Morales (3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K)

On Deck:

Thursday, July 29 @ Lake Elsinore Storm, Fresno RHP Andrew DiPiazza (4-0, 2.51) vs. Lake Elsinore RHP Jesus Lugo (0-2, 5.16), 7:05 pm PT

ON THAT FRES-NOTE:

The bullpen has been a big reason for the Grizzlies success in July. Over 94.2 innings pitched, the relievers have allowed 29 earned runs, which is good for a 2.76 ERA. Overall, the bullpen has a 9-2 record, allowing 81 hits, 34 runs, 29 earned runs (six homers), 29 walks and 89 strikeouts through 24 games.