Five Fresno Home Runs Doom Redhawks

News9.com

FRESNO, California – Oklahoma City's early game lead was quickly erased thanks to the handful of home runs blasted by Fresno en route to its 8-5 win over the Redhawks.

The Grizzlies hit five home runs, including two from first basemen Brad Eldred who went three-for-four with two RBI on the night.

OKC's Brandon Barnes reached the bases first for the Redhawks who belted a high pop fly that was misread by second baseman Brett Pill and allowed Barnes a double.

Next Tommy Manzella singled to bring home Barnes for a 1-0lead.

The lead was short lived as in the second, with two out, Eldred took the plate and blasted the first of his two home runs to tie the game 1-1.

Oklahoma City answered in the top of the third when Barnes managed another double, then scored again on a single by Robinson Cancel to make it 2-1. Cancel's single extended his season-long hitting streak to 17 consecutive games.

Fresno came back in the bottom of the frame with three big runs. Conor Gillaspie belted a two-run home run followed by a solo home run from Edgar Gonzales for a 4-2 score.

In the fourth, Oklahoma City took back the lead with an RBI single from Jose Vallejo, an RBI double from Brandon Barnes and RBI single from Tommy Manzella for a 5-4 lead.

The Grizzlies responded in the sixth frame off a bases loaded, pinch-hit single from Jackson Williams, that scored Travis Ishikawa and Thomas Neal for a 6-5 Fresno lead.

Fresno's one run lead extended into the eighth, but the Grizzles would claw their way to the win and finish the scoring with back-to-back solo home runs from Eldred and Williams to make it 8-5.

On the evening, Fresno starter Matt Yourkin (4-4) allowed five runs, four earned, with eight hits in six innings for the winning decision. 

Meanwhile, Oklahoma City starter Sergio Perez (3-3) allowed six earned runs off seven hits, including three home runs, over five innings for the losing decision. Marc Kroon (11) saved the game with a scoreless ninth inning.

The Redhawks are now 21-26 on the season after splitting the four game series 2-2 against Fresno (22-26).

Oklahoma City moves on to face the Nashville Sound Friday in Nashville at 7:05 p.m.

Left handed pitcher Ryan Rowland-Smith will be on the mound for OKC who will face Nashville's Frankie de la Cruz.

Live radio coverage will be available on AM 1340 The Game.