Wild, Wild Walk-off: Grizzlies Wrangle Rawhide, 6-5, in 10 innings

May 23, 2024 – California League (CalL)
Fresno Grizzlies News Release

Fresno, CA – The Fresno Grizzlies (23-17) stunned the Visalia Rawhide (16-24) 6-5 in 10 innings Wednesday night from Chukchansi Park. Fresno enjoyed their second walk-off win of the 2024 season thanks to a throwing error in the bottom of the 10th. The last two home victories for the Grizzlies have come on walk-off triumphs (Sunday, May 12, 1-0). The Grizzlies improved to 23-3 at home and 44-12 all-time against the Rawhide. The Grizzlies have also won 22 of their last 27 contests against their Highway 99 rivals.

Fresno grabbed an early 2-0 lead with a run in the second and another in the third. Jason Hinchman raced home after an EJ Andrews Jr. single and error by the Visalia left fielder. Tevin Tucker provided the next run after an Aidan Longwell sacrifice fly to left field. The Rawhide inched across their first run in the top of the fourth from a wild pitch. In the sixth, the Grizzlies extended their lead to 4-1 when Andrews Jr. mashed a two-run homer to left-center field. It was Fresno’s fourth clout at home, third overall against a lefty and second by Andrews Jr. on the season. The Grizzlies made it 5-1 in the eighth when Andy Perez spanked a single to center, adding Longwell.

Despite the 5-1 advantage, the Rawhide spoiled the fun with a two-out, four-run ninth inning. A throwing error and bases-loaded hit-by-pitch logged the first two Visalia runs. Then, Kenny Castillo drove in two runs after a single to left, knotting the game up at five. The Grizzlies could not claw anything across in the bottom of the ninth and the game went into extras. In the top of the 10th, Visalia quickly put runners at the corners with no outs. Reigning California League Pitcher of the Week Welinton Herrera escaped the jam with three enormous strikeouts, shifting momentum to Fresno. The Grizzlies took advantage of a golden opportunity in the bottom of the 10th as Braylen Wimmer executed a good bunt with Tucker at second, who eventually scored the walk-off run thanks to a throwing error at third by reliever Yordin Chalas (0-2, loss).

Grizzlies’ starter Bryan Perez was unbelievable, working a career-high seven innings of one-run ball. Perez allowed six hits and one walk while fanning eight. His seven frames of work was tied for the most pitched by a Grizzlies arm in a game this season. Brady Hill followed Perez with a 1-2-3 eighth, lowering his ERA to 1.17. Bryson Hammer ran into control issues,…