Prosecky punches out 11 as Fresno puzzles Rancho Cucamonga 2-1

Fresno, CA (Tuesday, August 1) – The Fresno Grizzlies (59-38, 23-8) clipped the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (54-43, 15-16) 2-1 Tuesday night from Chukchansi Park. Fresno improved to a Minor League-best 23-8 in the second half, 26-9 in their last 35 games and 36-12 in their last 48 contests. The Grizzlies moved to 30-4 when allowing three runs or fewer, 38-7 when scoring first and 20-13 in one-run games (15-6 at home). This season, 47 of Fresno’s 97 contests have been one or two-run affairs (48%). The Grizzlies are 22-12 against the California League South Division (14-5 at home) and have not lost back-to-back contests since May 29-June 4 at San Jose, spanning 48 games.

Fresno starter Michael Prosecky (9-5) earned the win after tying his career-high with six scoreless innings. Prosecky allowed two hits and a pair of walks while fanning a professional-best 11. His 11 strikeouts were the most by a Grizzlies pitcher this season. Prosecky is now 4-0 over his last four starts with a 0.42 ERA. In six outings against the California League South Division, he is 4-1 with a 0.80 ERA. Prosecky has tossed 11 shutout frames against Rancho Cucamonga this year (2 starts; 6 H, 4 BB, 16 K). Sergio Sanchez (4), Carson Skipper (9) and Carlos Torres (10) all picked up holds after fanning four over two innings of relief. Zach Agnos secured his Minor League-leading 19th save of the season after punching out a pair in a clean ninth. Agnos is now tied for sixth all-time in Grizzlies single-season saves (Geno Espineli, 2009). Up next for Agnos is Marc Kroon, who had 20 saves in 2011.

The Grizzlies clawed ahead 1-0 in the bottom of the second when EJ Andrews Jr. drew a bases-loaded walk, scoring Jesus Bugarin. Fresno extended their lead to 2-0 in the third when Skyler Messinger reached on a fielder’s choice, plating Jake Snider. The Quakes netted their lone run in the seventh when Jose Izarra lined a single to center, adding Jorge Puerta. Izarra got on base four times for Rancho Cucamonga. Quakes’ righty Chris Campos (5-5) suffered the loss after exiting the game in the second. Campos issued four walks before handing the ball to the bullpen. Liam Doolan, Jon Edwards and Garrett McDaniels chucked six and two-thirds frames of one-run ball. They permitted one hit and one walk while striking out six. The clubs are back to battle tomorrow evening from Chukchansi Park.

Top Performers: Fresno Grizzlies (Colorado Rockies)

• LHP Michael Prosecky (6.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 11 K; win)
• RHP Zach Agnos (1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K; save)
• LF Jake Snider (1-3, R, BB, SB)

Top Performers: Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (Los Angeles Dodgers)

• 2B Jose Izarra (2-3, RBI, 2 BB)
• RHP Jon Edwards (2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K)
• RHP Liam Doolan (3.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K)

On Deck:

Wednesday, August 2 vs. Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, Rancho Cucamonga RHP Gabe Emmett (5-4, 4.98) vs. Fresno LHP Mason Albright (9-4, 3.62; Fresno Debut), 6:50 pm PT

ON THAT FRES-NOTES:

Grizzlies’ lefty Carson Skipper has appeared in 29 games this season, spanning 35 innings. In that stretch, he has issued three walks while striking out 48. Skipper has gone 15 straight outings (16.2 frames) without recording a walk (June 7 vs. Lake Elsinore).

Former Fresno starter Blake Adams had the previous strikeout mark by a Grizzlies pitcher in 2023,10, on April 19 at Rancho Cucamonga.