Grizzlies Report for July 7: Tacoma 8, Fresno 7
Tuesday recap: The Grizzlies settled for a series split with Tacoma, losing 8-7 before an announced crowd of 4,928 at Chukchansi Park. Tacoma No. 3 hitter Jesus Montero tripled twice and drove in four. The Rainiers defense helped the Grizzlies — after Fresno trailed 5-0, 6-1 and 7-4 — get within one in the sixth inning. Rather than convert a 6-4-3 double play on Domingo Santana’s grounder to short, Tacoma had three overthrows that allowed one run to score and set up another. Shortstop Leury Bonilla overthrew second, as Matt Duffy moved from first to third and Santana got to second. Montero, playing first, retrieved the ball in right and rifled a throw home that was wild but was backed up by pitcher Logan Kensing. Duffy retreated to third, but Santana continued there as well before seeing Duffy and heading back to second. Kensing’s throw to second sailed into the outfield, Duffy scored and Santana advanced to third. Tyler White’s groundout scored Santana — who also doubled in two in the fourth — and the Grizzlies were down 7-6. Fresno had a chance to at least force extra innings after Jonathan Villar drew a one-out walk in the ninth and advanced to third when second baseman Zach Shank made a dive and throw to rob Robbie Grossman of an infield hit, but L.J. Hoes fouled out to end it.
Grizzlies on Wednesday: Before enjoying the Triple-A All-Star break, Fresno hits the road for a five-game series up Highway 99 against the rival Sacramento River Cats. First pitch for the opener is 7:05 p.m. Grizzlies RH Mark Appel (0-1, 10.38 ERA), the No. 1 overall pick from the 2013 amateur draft, is scheduled to make his third Triple-A start. He gave up seven runs in his debut then followed with three runs over 5.2 innings in his most recent outing. In both starts, Appel gave up a home run. In fact, Appel has given up six home runs in his past five games combined stretching to his final three games at Double-A. The River Cats counter with RH Chris Stratton (0-1, 1.53), who will make his seventh start at the Triple-A level.
Back in town: Santana made his return to Fresno. He was hitting .320 with 11 homers and 38 RBIs for the Grizzlies before he was called up by parent club Houston in mid-June. The 22-year-old hit .256 with two homers and eight RBIs in a 14-game run with the Astros.
Stat of the day: Grizzlies right-hander James Hoyt, packaged within a trade that sent slugger Evan Gattis from the Atlanta Braves to the Astros, has been stellar of late. In his past 10 games entering Tuesday, the 6-foot-5 Hoyt had a 1.69 ERA with 15 strikeouts and no walks in 10.2 innings.
This story was originally published July 7, 2015 at 11:08 PM with the headline "Grizzlies Report for July 7: Tacoma 8, Fresno 7."