The Fresno Grizzlies returned home from an 11-1 road trip and took the opener from Modesto 2-1 with some opportunistic offense and a strong effort from five pitchers. Fresno scored both of its runs on wild pitches and RHP Toney Locey and four relievers made them stand up for the Grizzlies’ 10th straight win.
The high-powered Grizzlies offense only got four hits but they got what they needed with single runs in the fourth and eighth innings. RF Zac Veen led off the fourth with a bunt single and SS Ezequiel Tovar followed with another, which had to be reviewed to be ruled a hit as he avoided the sweep tag on his way to first. The umpires conferred and called Tovar safe as Veen advanced to second and then went to third on a double-play groundout by 1B Grant Lavigne. Modesto starter RHP Josiah De Los Santos then threw one to that backstop that allowed Veen to score the first run of the game.
The Nuts tied it up in the sixth when RF Alberto Rodriguez walked, advanced to third on a single by LF Trent Tinglestad and came in on a sac fly by C Matt Scheffler.
De Los Santos kept the Grizzlies quiet in the sixth and seventh and came out of the game with the score 1-1. De Los Santos went 7 innings and allowed one run on three hits and four walks with five strikeouts.
Fresno struck for the deciding run off of reliever Matthew Willdrodt in the eighth. 3B Julio Carreras singled, stole second and advanced to third on a groundout. Willrodt uncorked a wild pitch that allowed Carreras to come in from third and the Grizzlies took a 2-1 lead into the top of the ninth.
RHP Anderson Pilar finished off a brilliant pitching performance by Fresno with a scoreless ninth inning. Locey threw four scoreless innings in his first start of the year and allowed just three hits and a walk with four strikeouts. RHP Anderson Bido relieved Locey and threw a scoreless fifth inning, followed by RHP Blair Calvo who covered the sixth and seventh and allowed Modesto’s only run. RHP Gavin Hollowell (W, 1-0) pitched a scoreless eighth inning before Pilar came on in the ninth for the save.
Fresno stayed two games up on San Jose, who also won on Tuesday, and the Grizzlies have won 10 straight games as they continue to build on the best record in the Low-A West (46-21).
SCOREBOARD
RANCHO CUCAMONGA – 18
VISALIA – 10
Box
STOCKTON – 3
SAN JOSE – 9
Box
LAKE ELSINORE – 9
INLAND EMPIRE – 5
Box
