Early Deficit Too Much as Ports Out Slugged by Grizzlies
Fresno, California - The Fresno Grizzlies slug their way to a 3-2 series lead with a 12-2 win over the Stockton Ports at Chukchansi Park on Saturday night. The first place Grizzlies (71-48, 35-18) scored in 6 consecutive innings between the 2nd and 7th and received a stellar performance on
Fresno, California - The Fresno Grizzlies slug their way to a 3-2 series lead with a 12-2 win over the Stockton Ports at Chukchansi Park on Saturday night.
The first place Grizzlies (71-48, 35-18) scored in 6 consecutive innings between the 2nd and 7th and received a stellar performance on the mound by their starter Albert Pacheco (W 7-2).
Stockton (44-75, 19-34) starter Alejandro Manzano (L 0-1) went 4 innings in his second start with the club allowing 8 runs on 8 hits while facing 2 batters in the 5th inning.
The Grizzlies bats were relentless all night beginning in the 2nd inning when Andy Perez tripled with one out for his 1st of 4 hits on the night. Perez scored on an RBI single by Daniel Amaral to give Fresno a 1-0 lead. Stockton quickly punched back in the 3rd on an RBI single by Angel Arevalo after Pedro Pineda led off the inning with a base hit and a stolen base, his 17th steal of the season.
Fresno wasted no time in reclaiming the lead in the bottom of the 3rd scoring 3 times. Kyle Karros singled home Cole Carrigg who led off with a double, then Dyan Jorge drove in Bryant Betancourt with a sacrifice fly, then Perez came through with another RBI hit to make the score 4-1. Stockton drew within 2 runs in the 4th after Henry Bolte led off with a single and stole second (26) advancing to 3rd on a throwing error by Betancourt, Jose Mujica cashed in the run with a sacrifice fly to right field.
The Grizzlies added 2 more runs in the 4th on a 2-run homer by Jake Snider (4) and then 3 more in the 5th on a Jorge sac fly, a Perez RBI single, and a Perez steal of home. Fresno then added a run in the 6th on a lead off solo home run by Betancourt (3) and 2 more runs in the 7th on a 2-run homer by Daniel Amaral (3).
Grizzlies starter Albert Pacheco was the star on the mound on Saturday going 7 innings and striking out 8 while scattering 6 hits and allowing just 2 runs in the effort. Javier Ramos and Brady Hill each threw scoreless innings in relief for Fresno while Charlie Cerny tossed a 1-2-3 9th for Stockton.
The Ports will play for a series split with the Grizzlies in the series finale on Sunday, first pitch scheduled for 5:05 pm at Chukchansi Park.