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Fresno Report June 12-18: Grizzlies split high-scoring week

By Andrew Gleinser

Aug 1, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros first baseman Tyler White (13) hits a single during the fifth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 1, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros first baseman Tyler White (13) hits a single during the fifth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Houston Astros’ Triple-A affiliate Fresno Grizzlies posted a 3-3 record in a week featuring many high-scoring games.

81 runs in four games. That’s something you’d expect in football, but the Fresno Grizzlies’ four-game series against Albuquerque featured a total of 81 runs scored. Good pitching performances were few and far between in a 3-3 week for Fresno, which had seen better pitching in the two weeks prior. At least for this week, offense was the name of the game for the Astros‘ Triple-A affiliate.

Batting Practice in Albuquerque

Following a day off on June 12, the Grizzlies defeated Albuquerque 10-9 in the series opener on Tuesday. Starter Casey Coleman gave up six runs on eight hits in six innings. Tony Kemp, Tyler White, Derek Fisher and Colin Moran each had at least two hits and two RBIs. As a team, the Grizzlies had 14 hits and seven walks.

Fresno fell in the second game of the series 7-3 on Wednesday. Starter David Martinez gave up four runs in six innings, taking the loss. Kemp, White and Preston Tucker had two hits and an RBI apiece.

The Grizzlies lost a heartbreaker 12-11 in 10 innings on Thursday. Starter Kyle Smith gave up four runs on eight hits in 4.1 innings in his first start after being called up from Double-A. Teoscar Hernandez and Reid Brignac each hit two homers, while White and Jon Kemmer also went deep.

Fresno salvaged a series split with a 15-14 win on Friday. Trent Thornton earned the win despite giving up seven runs on 12 hits in six innings. Kemmer, Tucker, Brignac, White and Moran all homered. White also added two doubles as part of a five-hit game with six RBIs.

Home Again, Home Again

The Grizzlies opened a four-game home series against El Paso with a 6-1 win on Saturday. Mike Hauschild earned the win, giving up one run on two hits in six innings with eight strikeouts. A.J. Reed walked twice and homered, while White added two doubles and an RBI. Hernandez and Brignac drove in two runs apiece.

Fresno lost the Father’s Day game 11-5 on Sunday. Coleman gave up four runs in 2.2 innings. Tucker and Juan Centeno drove in two runs apiece. The Grizzlies offense managed just four hits total.

Player of the Week: Tyler White

White went 0-for-3 on Sunday, snapping an incredible streak of 11 straight multi-hit games. The streak raised his season average from .247 to .310. This week, he had a four-hit game and a five-hit game. He hit two homers, seven doubles and drove in 11 runs in a five-game span. This is no ordinary hot streak.

Next: Astros in Fantasy: Best and Worst Performances – Week 11

What’s Next

Fresno finishes up its series against El Paso on Monday and Tuesday. After a day off on Wednesday, Sacramento comes to town for four games, including a doubleheader on Saturday. The team gets another day off on Sunday. The Grizzlies sit at 34-36 on the season, third place in their division and 10 games behind first-place Reno.

***Statistics courtesy of MiLB.com***