LAS VEGAS - The Fresno Grizzlies (69-55) fell to the Las Vegas 51s (48-76) in yet another one-run game in this four-game series. With the 4-3 loss, the Grizzlies are now 12-4 in Mike Hauschild's starts this season and 16-11 in one-run games. With a Reno Aces win on Wednesday night, Fresno has fallen one game back in the PCL Pacific North Division.
The Grizzlies took an initial 2-0 lead in the third. Colin Walsh (3-for-4) led off the inning with a base hit and scored on a Tyler White (2-for-4) RBI single. Then, an A.J. Reed sacrifice fly scored Rico Noel who reached base on a bunt single.
Fresno starter Hauschild was perfect through four and two thirds with seven strikeouts before allowing a solo home run to Las Vegas' Cody Decker (2-for-4), their first hit of the game. It was Decker's sixth homer of the season and first of the night. Hauschild ended up with a no decision for the Grizzlies.
The 51s tied the contest 2-2 in the sixth when a Kevin Plawecki sacrifice fly scored Jayce Boyd (2-for-4) who singled to get on. In the top of the seventh, Decker went deep to left again to give Las Vegas a 4-2 lead. The two-run shot scored Travis Taijeron who led off the frame with a walk.
White hit a bomb to left in the bottom of the seventh to cut the Las Vegas lead to a 4-3 final score. The solo homer was his 21st of the season for the Grizzlies and his 24th overall including the three he hit in just as many at-bats with the Houston Astros. Dayan Diaz (4-3) suffered the loss for Fresno through two innings of relief.
Las Vegas starter Wilfredo Boscan allowed two runs on four hits and three walks with just one strikeout through 5.2 innings while Logan Taylor (2-1) earned the win in an inning and a third of reilief. Reliever Alberto Baldonado picked up his first save of the season with a strikeout in the ninth.
Game three of this four-game set will be on Thursday night. RHP Luis Mateo (1-0, 7.56) will get the start for Las Vegas and RHP Rogelio Armenteros (6-1, 2.82) will be on the mound for Fresno. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
