Andy Perez Joins Grizzlies Career Record Books in Triples

June 30, 2024 – California League (CalL)
Fresno Grizzlies News Release

San Jose, CA – The Fresno Grizzlies (3-5, 41-32) were walked-off on by the San Jose Giants (6-2, 42-31) 7-6 in 10 innings Saturday evening from Excite Ballpark. Fresno suffered a series loss to San Jose, just their second on the road this season (Inland Empire, April 30-May 5). The Grizzlies also agonized their third walk-off defeat in 2024 and their first since May 1 at Inland Empire. Over Fresno’s last four Saturday contests, they have played three extra-inning games (also June 8 and 22) and a trio of walk-off finishes (also June 15 and 22). The Grizzlies saw their six-game extra-innings win streak end, dropping them to 6-3 overall on the season (4-2 away). Fresno fell to 9-12 in one-run affairs with a 2-8 road record.

The Giants brought eight batters to the dish in the bottom of the first, seizing an early 5-0 lead. Cesar Quintas started the scoring with a bloop RBI single to center, plating Cole Foster. With two outs, Lisbel Diaz hammered a double down the left field line, adding Justin Bench and Quintas. The Diaz double was the only extra-base hit for San Jose in the win. Finally, Elian Rayo roped a two-RBI single to left, but was thrown out trying to take second.

Despite the early hole, the Grizzlies did not back down without a fight. In the top of the second, Tevin Tucker launched a three-run homer to left field, his second longball of the year. The tank came on the ninth pitch of the at-bat for Tucker. Fresno tied the game at five after lifting sacrifice flies in the top of the fifth and sixth. Andy Perez and Darius Perry were the RBI recipients. After the squads traded zeroes for the final three frames (eight consecutive zeroes for San Jose’s offense), the game went into extras. In the top of the 10th, Brad Cumbest ripped a two-out, RBI single to center, notching Perez. It was Fresno’s first lead of the night.

The Grizzlies 6-5 advantage was not enough though as the Giants found a way to muster two final runs in the bottom of the 10th. A leadoff walk to Jack Payton put runners at first and second (automatic runner) with no outs. After a huge strikeout of Diaz, things took a turn for the worse. Fresno righty Brady Hill (2-2, loss) was called for a balk after flinching while looking in for the signs. This allowed Payton and Luke Shliger to move up a base with only one out. On an 0-2 pitch, Rayo delivered a game-winning, two-RBI single down the left field line, securing…