Grizzlies Report for July 24: Fresno 9, Tacoma 3

Friday recap: Lead-off hitter Jonathan Villar opened the game with a solo home run and starting pitcher Dan Straily retired 16 of his first 17 batters, including the first three by strikeout, as the Grizzlies blasted the Rainiers 9-3 to start the four-game series. After a walk to start the bottom of the second, Straily retired his next 14 batters before Ketel Marte lined a single to center to break up the no-hit bid. Straily continued unfazed, striking out seven batters in eight scoreless innings to improve to 8-6 and drop his ERA to a season-low 3.59. LH Luis Cruz gave up three runs on two hits and two walks in the ninth before getting Carlos Rivera to hit into a 6-4-3 double play to end the game. Villar finished 3 for 5 with two RBIs and three runs. Tyler White’s two-out, two-run single in the fourth highlighted a four-run inning for the Grizzlies.

Saturday outlook: RH Mark Appel is back on the mound after a rough home debut, facing RH Forrest Snow (7-7, 3.51) at 7:05 p.m. in Tacoma. Appel (1-2, 6.52 ERA) was tagged for five runs (four earned) on five hits (two home runs) and two walks in four innings in a 7-1 loss to El Paso. Snow has hit a rough patch in July, losing his past three starts while giving up a combined 16 earned runs in 13 1/3 innings.

First punch: The Grizzlies are now 21-5 in series openers this season.

Roster moves: Outfielders L.J. Hoes and Alex Presley were sent to Triple-A Fresno by the Houston Astros on Friday. Hoes was optioned to the Grizzlies and has 72 hours to report with the club. Presley, who batted .250 in eight games for parent-club Houston since he was called up July 2, was sent to Fresno outright and removed from the 40-man roster. Also activated to the Grizzlies were RH Jason Stoffel from the temporary inactive list, in a swap with RH Mike Hauschild.

This story was originally published July 24, 2015 at 10:39 PM with the headline "Grizzlies Report for July 24: Fresno 9, Tacoma 3."