Walk-Off Win – OurSports Central

June 16, 2024 – California League (CalL)
Fresno Grizzlies News Release

Fresno, CA -The Fresno Tigers (36-25) found their stripes late against the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (28-32) 6-5 Saturday night from Chukchansi Park. Fresno celebrated their fifth walk-off win of the season with their fourth coming in the bottom of the ninth. Jason Hinchman once again played hero, relishing his second walk-off hit this year (homer on May 26 vs. Visalia). Fresno improved to 8-9 in one-run affairs (6-3 at home) and enjoyed their largest comeback claws victory of the season (four-run deficit). The Tigers moved to 17-6 all-time at home against the Quakes and can win the series tomorrow evening. Fresno still sits 3.5 games back of Modesto with four contests left to play in the first half. The Nuts shelled the Visalia Rawhide for the second consecutive night.

The Tigers clawed ahead 1-0 in the bottom of the first when Nick Gile smacked a solo shot to right field, his first homer in a Fresno uniform. The Quakes rumbled back with five runs over the next two frames. In the top of the second, Logan Wagner mashed a two-run tater to dead center. It was his second longball of the series and fourth bomb of the 2024 campaign. Josue De Paula crushed a three-run clout to right field, tacking Rancho Cucamonga to a 5-1 lead in the top of the third. It was De Paula’s sixth wallop of the year. The Tigers slashed the deficit to two after a three-hit fifth inning. GJ Hill laced a double to the right field corner, adding Caleb Hobson. Andy Perez then scampered home on a Braylen Wimmer RBI groundout.

The clubs traded zeroes over the next three innings with Tigers’ relievers dominating down the stretch. Trailing 5-3 in the bottom of the ninth, the Tigers’ comeback claws glistened for the first time in the series. Gile started the ensuing frenzy with a walk, bringing Perez to the dish. The Cuban native worked a seven-pitch at-bat, fouling off five straight before lining a double to right-center field. A throwing error by Rancho Cucamonga allowed Gile to waltz home, moving Perez to third and drawing the Tigers to within one. After a strikeout, Wimmer provided Fresno with a game-tying double that escaped the clutches of center fielder Kendall George. Luis Mendez was intentionally walked, which brought in a new arm for the Quakes. On the first pitch, Felix Cabrera balked, sending Wimmer and Mendez 90 feet closer to a triumph. That triumph came on the second pitch to pinch-hit hero…