The Fresno Grizzlies (49-35) blanked the Sacramento River Cats (38-47) 5-0 Tuesday night from Raley Field. With the victory, the Grizzlies improved to 37-20 versus the River Cats and 22-7 on the road since the affiliation switch in 2015. Fresno is perfect in the fifth game of a series (4-0)
The Fresno Grizzlies (49-35) blanked the Sacramento River Cats (38-47) 5-0 Tuesday night from Raley Field. With the victory, the Grizzlies improved to 37-20 versus the River Cats and 22-7 on the road since the affiliation switch in 2015. Fresno is perfect in the fifth game of a series (4-0) and picked up their seventh shutout of the season.
Starter Cy Sneed (8-4) earned the win after six and one-third scoreless frames. He scattered four hits, three walks while whiffing seven. On the year, he has not allowed a run in half of his starts (7 of 14). In his past nine starts, Sneed has a 1.99 ERA, punching out 63 in 58 and two-thirds innings. His 92 strikeouts are the second best in the PCL, while his eight wins are tied for second in the PCL.
Fresno clawed out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. Myles Straw led off with a double to left and would scamper home on a single to center by J.D. Davis (Sacramento-area native). Straw extended his team-high hit streak to eight games. During the span, he is 14-for-34 (.412) with four two-baggers and four steals. His 45 stolen bases (35 in Double-A) leads all of professional baseball by 10.
In the top of the second, the Grizzlies pushed the advantage to 3-0. A sacrifice fly to center by Antonio Nunez plated Garrett Stubbs (walk). Then, a groundout by Kyle Tucker netted Jack Mayfield (single). Tucker's 63 RBI is tied for second in Triple-A, four behind teammate AJ Reed.
Jon Kemmer (2-for-5) made it 4-0 Fresno in the visitor's half of the third when he belted a solo shot to right-center field (428 feet). He homered in consecutive nights, giving him 13 overall on the year. Nick Tanielu lengthened the lead to 5-0 in the top of the eighth when he spanked a double to center. Stubbs (2-for-2, reached base four times) came around to score on the play.
A 5-0 advantage was enough for the Grizzlies bullpen, finalizing the shutout.
River Cats starter Jordan Johnson (Triple-A debut, Sacramento-area native) suffered the loss. He hurled five frames, dispersing six hits, four runs (earned), walking four and striking out a pair.
The Grizzlies head back to Chukchansi Park for a five-game set starting Wednesday night versus the Las Vegas 51s. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 PT. Fresno RHP Mike Hauschild (6-6, 4.87) and Las Vegas fellow righty Drew Gagnon (1-3, 4.78) are the probable matchup.
