Grizzlies Slammed In 16-Inning Marathon

 
(July 8, 2012) -- Sacramento's Anthony Recker hit a two-out grand slam home run in the top of the 16th inning, giving the River Cats a 6-3 win over the Fresno Grizzlies in a four hour and 59 minute marathon Saturday night and early Sunday at Chukchansi Park.
 
Mitch Lively became the sixth Grizzlies pitcher of the night when he entered in the top of the 16th inning. Lively walked the first two batters he faced, and Adam Rosales laid down a bunt in a sacrifice attempt. Eli Whiteside fielded the ball, but his throw to third to get the force was too late.
 

A line drive by Michael Taylor deflected off of Lively, and Charlie Culberson fielded it. Culberson threw out Eric Sogard at home, and Whiteside quickly threw to third for a possible double play. The throw was not in time, though, keeping the bases loaded. After Daric Barton's strikeout, Recker hit a towering fly to the left field bleachers to give the River Cats a 6-2 advantage.

The game was the longest for the Grizzlies this season, both in innings and time. It had a combined 123 plate appearances, nine runs, 19 hits, four errors and 19 left on base. Fresno went 2-for-13 with runners in scoring position, while Sacramento went 2-for-12.

 The Grizzlies scored their first two runs in the third inning. Skyler Stromsmoe drove in Whiteside to tie the game at 1-1. Two batters later and with two outs, Brett Pill reached on an error by Sacramento shortstop Grant Green, allowing Brock Bond to score.

The Grizzlies led 2-1 entering the seventh inning, but Taylor tripled off the center-field wall. Daric Barton followed with a fly out to right fielder Devin Harris, but Harris' throw home kept Taylor at third.

With Recker at the plate, a pitch in the dirt got away from Whiteside and Taylor started for home. Whiteside quickly fielded the ball, however, and Taylor retreated toward third. However, Whiteside's errant throw to third sailed all the way to the visiting bullpen, and Taylor easily scored to tie the game at 2-2.

 Pill ended the scoring by driving in Nick Noonan to trim the River Cats' lead to 6-3 in the bottom of the 16th, but it wasn't enough.

Grizzlies starting pitcher Yusmeiro Petit allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits and three walks during his 6 1/3 innings pitched.

Prior to Lively entering in the 16th, four Grizzlies relievers -- Dan Otero, Jean Machi, Scott Munter and Clayton Tanner -- had not allowed a run in 8 2/3 innings. Otero (1 2/3 innings) and Machi (two innings) did not allow a hit.

Arnold Leon picked up the win for Sacramento, his second of the year, after holding Fresno scoreless in two innings.

 The final game of the five-game series and the first half of the Pacific Coast League season will begin Sunday at 6:05 p.m. Jason Stevenson will start for Fresno, opposing Brad Peacock.

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