Grizzlies Report for June 26: Fresno 8, Tacoma 4

Almost at .500 – Andrew Aplin, Jon Kemmer and Jack Mayfield each drove in two runs as the Fresno Grizzlies defeated the Tacoma Rainiers 8-4 on Sunday evening at Chukchansi Park. The Grizzlies (37-38-1) are as close as they’ve been to a .500 record since they were 7-7 on April 22. Fresno has won 12 of its past 15. The Grizzlies finished with 12 hits to mark the 23rd time this season they reached double figures. The Grizzlies scored five runs in the second inning, highlighted by Aplin’s two-run double to center field. Fresno starting pitcher Tommy Shirley scattered seven hits and two walks for two runs over five innings. Matt Duffy, who started at shortstop again for the seventh game, made the defensive play of the game when he raced to his left to field a grounder, then spun around and rifled a throw to first base for an out in the sixth.

Lowest crowd of year – Sunday’s game drew the smallest crowd to Chukchansi park this season, announced at 2,193. The game started at 5 p.m. amid 100-degree weather. The Grizzlies are averaging 5,953 through their first 42 home games, ranking eighth in average attendance in the 16-team Pacific Coast League.

Up next – Fresno Grizzlies RH Brad Peacock (2-3, 4.59 ERA) gets the start Monday against Tacoma Rainiers RH Joe Wieland (6-4, 7.18). First pitch is 7:05 p.m. Peacock has issued the most walks (27) on the Grizzlies and the 16th most in the PCL this season. Tacoma, however, has drawn the third fewest walks (221) in PCL. Wieland has allowed the eighth most earned runs (46) in the PCL. But he held the Grizzlies to one run over six innings in his last outing against Fresno on June 17.

Saturday recap – Former Dos Palos High standout Cody Martin shut out Fresno on two hits over seven innings as Tacoma edged the Grizzlies 1-0 before an announced crowd of 7,615 at Chukchansi Park. The right-hander did not walk a batter and struck out four while improving to 6-5 and lowering his ERA to 4.33. Martin allowed Jon Kemmer’s leadoff double in the third inning, he hit Matt Duffy in the fifth and gave up a double to Nolan Fontana in the sixth before being replaced by Kraig Sitton to start the eighth. Casey Coleman pitched the ninth to complete a three-hitter and earn his third save. The Rainiers’ trio outdueled Fresno’s Mike Hauschild, who allowed a run on six hits over seven innings, and relievers Jordan Jankowski and Reymin Guduan, who combined for two scoreless innings.

One-run affairs – Fresno is 15-12 in one-run games. The Grizzlies have had 36 percent of their games decided by one run, with 42 percent of their wins earned by a run.

The Fresno Bee

This story was originally published June 26, 2016 at 8:10 PM with the headline "Grizzlies Report for June 26: Fresno 8, Tacoma 4."