Grizzlies’ Rally Bites Chihuahuas 5-4

The Fresno Grizzlies scored twice in the top of the ninth inning and held on in the bottom of the ninth in their 5-4 win over the El Paso Chihuahuas Friday night.

The Chihuahuas trailed 3-1 with two runners on base and two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning when James Loney hit a three-run home run over the leaping center fielder Andrew Aplin.

The late lead was short lived, as Fresno loaded the bases with no outs in the top of the ninth inning and brought home two runs on Danny Worth’s single to right-center field. Worth was 3-for-3 with two walks in the game.

El Paso starter Jeremy Guthrie allowed two runs in five innings in a no-decision. Casey McElroy went 0-for-4, ending a stretch of six consecutive multi-hit games.

Friday’s visit was Fresno’s first trip to Southwest University Park since the Grizzlies shut out Columbus 7-0 in the 2015 Gildan Triple-A National Championship Game.

Gameday Box Score: http://www.milb.com/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2016_05_06_freaaa_elpaaa_1&mode=gameday

Team Records: Fresno (13-14), El Paso (12-15)

Next Game: Saturday vs. Fresno at Southwest University Park, 7:05 p.m. Fresno RHP Lance McCullers (MLB Rehab, 0-0, -.–) vs. El Paso RHP Daniel McCutchen (4-1, 5.67). Game coverage begins at 7:00 p.m. on 600 ESPN El Paso and www.epchihuahuas.com.

Fresno 5 El Paso 4 – Friday

WP: Hoyt (1-2)

LP: Dominguez (0-1)

S: None

Time: 2:56

Attn: 8,292