Giants Power Past Grizzlies, 12-4

September 10, 2022 – California League (CalL) – San Jose Giants News Release

Eight extra-base hits, including three home runs, powered the San Jose Giants to a 12-4 victory over the Fresno Grizzlies on Friday evening at Excite Ballpark. Alexander Suarez hit a three-run homer and a two-RBI triple to lead the way offensively while Wade Meckler and Aeverson Arteaga also went deep in the convincing win. The Giants (74-56, 34-30 second half) evened their series with Fresno at two games apiece and won for the 10th time in their last 13 contests overall.

Every player in the San Jose lineup recorded a hit on Friday with Suarez (2-for-4, 3B, HR, 5 RBI) driving in five runs from the ninth spot in the order. Meckler (2-for-5, 2B, HR, RBI), Arteaga (2-for-5, HR, RBI) and Garrett Frechette (2-for-4, RBI) also finished with multi-hit games for the Giants. Meanwhile, three San Jose pitchers – Liam Simon, Manuel Mercedes and Julio Rodriguez – combined to limit the Grizzlies to only four hits.

Meckler opened the scoring when he blasted a leadoff home run to deep center in the bottom of the first inning. It was the first home run of Meckler’s professional career after the outfielder was selected in this year’s draft by the San Francisco Giants.

Simon, another 2022 draftee, was making his second with San Jose and worked 1 2/3 innings with one hit and one run allowed. After pitching around a pair of walks in the top of the first, Simon surrendered a single run in the second inning as Fresno tied the game. Braxton Fulford walked to start the frame before Juan Guerrero singled to put runners on the corners. A.J. Lewis then hit a sacrifice fly to plate Fulford as the Grizzlies drew even at 1-1. A groundout and another walk followed to end Simon’s night as Mercedes was then summoned from the bullpen. Mercedes walked Benny Montgomery to load the bases, but escaped without further damage when he retired the next hitter, Yanquiel Fernandez, on a fly out to left.

The Giants then went ahead for good on Suarez’s blast in the bottom of the second. Back-to-back walks to Anyesber Sivira and Andrew Kachel began the inning before Rayner Santana’s sacrifice bunt advanced the runners. After Frechette struck out, Suarez stepped to the plate and belted a three-run homer to left center. The home run, Suarez’s 12th of the season, gave San Jose a 4-1 lead.

A pair of unearned runs against Mercedes in the top of the third immediately brought Fresno back within 4-3, however Mercedes was able to…