GRIZZLIES TO HIBERNATE FOR THREE DAYS

The Giants Triple ‘A’ affiliate set to recharge batteries during the All-Star break.

By David Taub
VSP Senior Writer:

The Fresno Grizzlies couldn’t have picked a better time to take a three day vacation.

Heading into the All-Star break, Fresno had a chance to make up ground versus first-place Sacramento with a five-game series. That didn’t happen.

After winning the first two, Sacramento took the final three, to increase their lead to 11 games over the Grizzlies.

Saturday night, the River Cats won, 7-6, in 13 innings, lasting one minute shy of four hours.

Thirteen hours later, the teams went at it again, with the hope that a noon start would allow the players to get to their break earlier.

No chance. The game lasted longer than the night before, four hours and 21 minutes, and the turnaround time showed.

Both teams played like they had no rest: a combined nine errors (yet, only one unearned run).

The Grizzlies were within one strike from closing out a 7-5 victory, when Jeff Baisley hit a game-tying homer off Alex Hinshaw in the ninth. Three innings later, the River Cats rallied again for three in the twelfth and held on to the 10-7 victory.

At the break, the Grizzlies are 45-45, even steven.

“We’re starting the season over, 0-0 in the second half,” said the ever-optimistic manager Dan Rohn

As far as what he’s doing during the break?

“I’m not getting off my couch for five days, even though we only have three.”

Pitcher Kevin Pucetas will be representing the team at the Triple-A All-Star Game.

“It feels good to go up there (to Portland), see friends and family, and have a little vacation.”

Pucetas carries an 8-2 record, with a 3.57 ERA and 63 strikeouts. Rohn cited his performance has a first half highlight.

It is yet another honor for the pitcher who is a rising star in the Giants organization. In 2008, he was the Cal League Pitcher of the Year while at San Jose.

In three professional seasons, Pucetas has earned three All-Star bids: in 2007 with Augusta in the South Atlantic League and last year with San Jose.

As far as the rest of the team, they are mandated to stick around, according to infielder Matt Downs.

Downs made his Major League debut with the Giants, earning a call up in June. In 12 games, he only hit .194, but clubbed his first homer June 28 at Milwaukee.

His All-Star break plans?

“Just relax and get baseball off the mind for a few days.”

Downs and his teammates plan to do so at one of the local lakes.

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