The Houston Astros‘ Triple-A affiliate Fresno Grizzlies continued their strong play, posting a 4-2 record this week.
The Grizzlies keep on chugging along. Fresno maintains its large division lead thanks to a 5-2 record this week. That can be largely attributed to exceptionally strong starting pitching, including a near-no-hitter. Also of note, outfield prospect Myles Straw made his Triple-A debut this week and brought his elite speed to Fresno.
Missed Opportunity
The Grizzlies settled for a series split, dropping the finale 5-4 on June 11 to Oklahoma City in 10 innings. Starter Josh James struck out 11 in six innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits. Jack Mayfield homered and doubled, driving in two, while Jon Kemmer added a double and a triple. The team committed three errors, leading to four unearned runs.
The Big Easy
After a day off on Tuesday, Fresno opened a three-game series at New Orleans with a 9-2 win on Wednesday. Starter Brock Dykxhoorn struck out nine in 6.2 sharp innings. He allowed just one run on two hits and two walks to lower his Triple-A ERA to 2.28. Tyler White and A.J. Reed each hit a three-run homer, while Kyle Tucker had three hits and an RBI.
The Grizzlies fell in the second game of the series by a 4-1 score on Thursday. Cy Sneed gave up three runs in 5.1 innings to take the loss. Tim Federowicz had two hits and a walk, but the offense generated only six singles and three walks in the game.
Fresno won the series on Friday, taking the rubber match 5-1. Mike Hauschild tossed five shutout innings to earn the win. Tucker and three hits and three RBIs, while Reed went 2-for-3 with a solo homer and two walks. Mayfield reached base three times and drove in a run as well.
Round Rocking and Rolling
The Grizzlies opened a four-game series at Round Rock with a 6-1 victory on Saturday. Trent Thornton took a no-hitter into the eighth inning, finishing with eight shutout innings and just one hit allowed. In his first Triple-A game, Myles Straw finished a homer shy of the cycle and stole a base. Mayfield hit a solo blast, while Tucker drove in two runs.
Fresno took the second game of the series on Sunday, also by a 6-1 margin. Rogelio Armenteros hurled five innings of one-run ball to improve to 5-0 on the season. J.D. Davis had two hits and two RBIs, while Mayfield and Nick Tanielu each had two hits and an RBI.
Player of the Week: Trent Thornton
Coming within four outs of a no-hitter is an impressive feat. Thornton did just that, allowing only a groundball single in eight scoreless innings. He lowered his season ERA to 2.88 after posting a 5.09 ERA for Fresno in 2017.
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What’s Next
The Grizzlies emerged victorious in Monday’s game at Round Rock and will continue the series Tuesday. Following a day off on Wednesday, they return home for four games against Albuquerque beginning Thursday. Fresno sits at 42-27 on the season, 6.5 games ahead of second-place Tacoma.