Grizzlies Report for July 13: International League All-Stars 4, Pacific Coast League 2
Triple-A All-Star Game recap – Brady Rodgers became the first Fresno Grizzlies pitcher to start the Triple-A All Star Game and showed why he has been one of the Pacific Coast League’s best. Rodgers retired six of the seven he faced and despite serving up a solo homer to Columbus’ Erik Gonzalez in the second left with a 2-1 lead. Grizzlies pitchers Mike Hauschild and James Hoyt also saw action Wednesday in Charlotte, N.C., a game won by the International League 4-2 before an announced crowd of 10,386 at BB&T Ballpark. Rodgers allowed the one hit and struck out three, Hauschild struck out Gonzalez in a 1-2-3 sixth and Hoyt allowed two hits while getting the final out in the eighth. Chris Marrero and Andrew Knapp also homered for the IL.
Up next – Fresno’s post-All Star break schedule opens with an eight-game trip, starting with four against New Orleans. It’s the lone series between the Houston Astros’ and Miami Marlins’ Triple-A affiliates. Grizzlies RH Cesar Valdez (6-1, 3.36 ERA) will get the start against RH Jose Urena (1-2, 3.63) at 5 p.m. Thursday. Both are natives of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Valdez closed the first half strong, posting a 1.19 ERA with 30 strikeouts to two walks in 37 2/3 innings across six games (five starts). Urena was a highly regarded Marlins prospect, ranking No. 12 in the organization in 2013. But he hasn’t succeeded in the majors, where he’s 2-6 with a 5.82 ERA in 82 innings in 2015-16. In nine starts in Triple-A this season, Urena has not lasted longer than five innings. He struck out six in 4 2/3 innings in his most recent start. The Grizzlies swept the Zephyrs 4-0 last season.
Bulldogs alum with New Orleans – Former Fresno State star Garrett Weber has endured a whirlwind season, suiting up for four teams and playing for two organizations. Weber was selected from Arizona by Texas in the offseason via the Rule 5 minor league draft. He began the season with Double-A Frisco, where Weber hit .288 with 10 RBIs in 22 games. He was released May 20 and five days later signed a minor league contract with the Marlins. Weber played six games for Class-A Jupiter, then 20 with Double-A Jacksonville before joining the Zephyrs for his past two games. For the season, Weber is batting .261 with 16 RBIs. Weber also played at Fresno City and Clovis High.
The Fresno Bee
This story was originally published July 13, 2016 at 7:22 PM with the headline "Grizzlies Report for July 13: International League All-Stars 4, Pacific Coast League 2."