Fresno Gets Declawed By Sky Sox In Shutout Loss
August 17, 2014 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Fresno Grizzlies News Release
FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno Grizzlies (60-68) moved past the 400,000 attendance mark Saturday night with 11,402 fans moving through the gates, but their offense sat at a stand still in a 10-0 loss to the Colorado Springs Sky Sox (51-77) in the series opener. It is the eighth time this season Fresno has failed to score and the third time in August alone. The double-digit shutout loss is Fresno's second this season (last May 27 at Reno).
The Grizzlies have now lost seven of their last nine games and are 1-4 on the current homestand. Over the last five games, the offense has averaged 1.8 runs per game, while producing just five extra-base hits.
Fresno didn't record their first hit until the third inning when pitcher Kelvin Marte singled on a line drive to right field. From there on out, the team managed only three more hits and didn't put a runner into scoring position until Tony Abreu walked and advanced to third on two wild pitches in the ninth.
Colorado Springs right-hander Chad Bettis, who wasn't named the starter for tonight's game until this morning, was responsible for quieting Fresno for eight of the nine innings. He faced only one over the minimum during his season-high eight scoreless innings, marking his best start since June 5, 2011 when he threw eight scoreless as a member of the Modesto Nuts. Bettis did not walk a batter, threw only 84 pitches, scattered three hits and struck out seven on way to retiring 13 of his last 14 batters faced.
Fresno left-hander Kelvin Marte (L, 1-1) threw 6.0 or more innings for the fourth time in as many starts, but surrendered a season-high tying 10 hits, walked two and tossed a wild pitch. The Fresno bullpen couldn't limit the damage, as Brett Bochy (2.0 IP) and Adam Reifer (1.0) both allowed two runs each. Over the last five games, the bullpen owns a 6.39 ERA (5 ER/9.2 IP).
The Grizzlies are now 4-9 against the American Northern division and 7-14 versus the American Conference overall.
The Fresno Grizzlies return to action at Chukchansi Park tomorrow with a doubleheader beginning at 5:05 p.m. PT against the Colorado Springs Sky Sox. Right-hander Jason Berken (9-9, 4.51) makes his 20th start for Fresno and faces Sky Sox righty Jair Jurrjens (0-3, 3.30), while a yet-to-be announced bullpen arm from the Grizzlies takes on lefty James Houser (1-0, 3.86) in game two. The second game will start approximately 30 minutes after the first concludes. Fans can purchase the ARCO Value Days Family Pack for the doubleheader, which packages four Super View tickets (to both games), four jumbo hot dogs, four medium sodas, two peanut packs and two Fun Zone wristbands, all for $49.
The Chukchansi Park Box Office, located on the corner of H and Kern Streets, opens at 12:00 p.m. on Sunday. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 559.320.TIXS or visit www.FresnoGrizzlies.com.
• Discuss this story on the Pacific Coast League message board...
Pacific Coast League Stories from August 17, 2014
- E-Train Puts One in the Win Column with 5-2 Victory - Round Rock Express
- Bees Hold on to Top Iowa 3-2 - Salt Lake Bees
- Heaney Carries No-Hitter into 8th Inning in Zephyrs' 1-0 Win - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- New Orleans Wins Pitcher's Duel, 1-0 - Reno Aces
- Isotopes Silence Sounds with 4-2 Victory - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Sounds Halted by Isotopes, 4-2 - Nashville Sounds
- Peguero Pounds out Two More in Win - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Cubs Lack Clutch Hitting in Loss to Bees - Iowa Cubs
- RedHawks Game Notes: August 17, 2014 - Oklahoma City Comets
- Szczur Recalled; Straily Optioned - Iowa Cubs
- INF Delvis Morales Rejoins Isotopes - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Omaha Storm Chasers August 17th Game Notes - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Pitching Guides Memphis to 2-1 Win - Memphis Redbirds
- RedHawks Plate Five in Ninth in 7-2 Win - Oklahoma City Comets
- RedHawks Plate Five in Ninth in 7-2 Win - Oklahoma City Comets
- Chad Bettis & Sky Sox Bats Dominate Grizzlies, 10-0 - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
- Fresno Gets Declawed By Sky Sox In Shutout Loss - Fresno Grizzlies
- Isotopes Tuned out by Sounds 8-3 in Series Opener Saturday Night - Albuquerque Isotopes
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
