Grizzlies Report for May 6: Fresno 5, El Paso 4
Friday recap – Fresno’s Danny Worth, capping a 3-for-3 night, singled home two in the top of the ninth as the Grizzlies rallied past El Paso 5-4 in a Pacific Coast League game-turned late-inning seesaw duel. The Grizzlies had been 0-12 when trailing after eight. James Loney slugged a two-out three-run homer off James Hoyt in the eighth as the Chihuahuas erased a two-run deficit in taking a 4-3 lead. Fresno had missed a big chance to blow it open in the sixth. Three straight walks set up Max Stassi’s tiebreaking single as the Grizzlies moved ahead 2-1. But the Chihuahuas got a forceout at home, nailed A.J. Reed at the plate on a close call while he was trying to score on an errant pitch and struck out Matt Duffy. Reed added a run-scoring double in the top of the eighth to make it 3-1, setting up Loney’s short-lived heroics.
Up next – Fresno is gaining a major-league arm as promising young right-hander Lance McCullers will make a rehab start at El Paso at 6:05 p.m. Saturday. McCullers, who is recovering from a shoulder injury that sidelined him through the first month of the season, will throw five innings, according to Houston Astros manager A.J. Hinch. He will face right-hander Daniel McCutchen (4-1, 4.67 ERA). McCullers will make his Grizzlies debut after moving straight from Double A to the majors last season and going 6-7 with a 3.22 ERA and 129 strikeouts in 125 2/3 innings for the Astros. McCutchen allowed three runs and seven hits in his last start, going five innings in a 4-3 win over the Grizzlies on May 1.
Quick turnaround – After the four-game series at El Paso, the Grizzlies will return to Chukchansi Park to host Tacoma for four games May 10-13.
Roster moves – One day after he was optioned from Houston to Fresno, right-hander Michael Feliz is back with the Astros. Feliz was recalled Friday in place of left-hander Tony Sipp, who went on paternity leave.
One and one – The Grizzlies have alternated wins and losses in their past 12 games dating to April 24.
Upon further review – Fresno right-hander Brady Rodgers’ dazzling four-hitter vs. Reno on Wednesday night was all that and more. The four hits were singles and he faced just four over the minimum in what was not only his first shutout but also his first complete game in four-plus pro seasons.Rodgers made 86 pitches, throwing 70 for strikes, in a game played in 1 hour, 57 minutes.
The Fresno Bee
This story was originally published May 6, 2016 at 9:07 PM with the headline "Grizzlies Report for May 6: Fresno 5, El Paso 4."