Jigsaw Juarez Puzzles Giants as Grizzlies Piece Together 3-2 “Victor”y

Fresno, CA (Thursday, August 4) – The Fresno Grizzlies (58-41, 17-16) outlasted the San Jose Giants (57-42, 17-16) 3-2 Thursday evening from Chukchansi Park. With the win, Fresno improved to 30-5 when allowing three runs or fewer and 14-4 in one-run home games. The Grizzlies also moved to 23-2 at home when scoring first and 11-10 overall against the Giants in 2022.

Fresno starter Victor Juarez (5-4) stymied the San Jose offense for six shutout innings, tying a career-high. Juarez faced one over the minimum, allowing two hits and one walk while fanning seven. His seven strikeouts also knotted a career-best. Juarez was followed by three relievers with Angel Chivilli picking up the save. Chivilli punched out one over a 1-2-3 ninth frame, earning his second save of the season.

San Jose righty Manuel Mercedes (1-4) suffered the setback after four innings of two-run ball. He permitted four walks and only one hit. Lefty John Gavin struck out half of the batters he faced out of the bullpen.

The Grizzlies plated two runs in the third and another in the sixth. Yanquiel Fernandez drew a bases-loaded walk, netting Ben Sems. The third baseman tripled prior to waltzing home. A double play notched the other run. Fresno recorded their final run on an infield single with Adael Amador hustling home.

The Giants mustered both their runs in the seventh thanks to a groundout and bloop single. Victor Bericoto and Yorlis Rodriguez were the RBI recipients. The squads continue their series tomorrow night from Chukchansi Park.

Top Performers: Fresno Grizzlies (Colorado Rockies)

• RHP Victor Juarez (6.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 7 K)

• RF Yanquiel Fernandez (1-3, 2 RBI, BB)

• 3B Ben Sems (1-3, 3B, R)

• SS Adael Amador (0-2, 2 R, 2 BB)

Top Performers: San Jose Giants (San Francisco Giants)

• DH Carter Williams (1-2, R, 2 BB, CS)

• 1B Victor Bericoto (1-4, RBI)

• 3B Yorlis Rodriguez (1-4, RBI)

• C Rayner Santana (2-3)

On Deck:

Friday, August 5 vs. San Jose Giants, San Jose RHP Eric Silva (3-6, 5.17) vs. Fresno LHP Ryley Widell (0-0, 0.00) , 6:50 pm PT

ON THAT FRES-NOTE:

Juan Brito extended his hit streak to seven games, matching his season-long and Yorvis Torrealba continued to swing a hot bat against the Giants. The duo both stole a base in the win.