FRESNO – Just like that.
Justin Leone hit a three-run, game-ending home run Sunday night, and the Fresno Grizzlies defeated the River Cats 6-5 in the finale of a three-game series before an announced crowd of 4,566 at Chukchansi Park.
"Terrible feeling," River Cats second baseman Brooks Conrad said. "They battled and came up with a clutch hit, and they won. It's big for them."
Grizzlies shortstop Ivan Ochoa led off the ninth inning with a single off right-hander Bret Prinz. Scott McClain later followed with a single. Left-hander Jay Marshall relieved Prinz before giving up the three-run shot to Leone with two outs.
"That's baseball," said River Cats outfielder Richie Robnett, who was 1 for 3 with a double. "They just outplayed us. Tomorrow is another day, and we just can forget about the last day."
River Cats starter Kirk Saarloos worked himself into a jam in the first inning when he gave up a single and a walk. But Travis Ishikawa grounded out to end the inning.
Saarloos, who signed a minor-league contract in January, lasted 6 2/3 innings, giving up three earned runs on seven hits in a no-decision.
Conrad said he felt better at the plate than the previous games, and it showed. He took a 2-0 fastball for a solo home run to right-center field in the second inning. It was Conrad's team-leading 17th homer of the season.
Conrad entered Sunday's game with a .219 average. After hitting his way on three times, he is batting .225 with a team-leading 56 RBIs.
"Conrad is a great hitter," Robnett said. "He produces, and I would have him on my team anytime.
"I just think averages are the most overrated stat in baseball."
In the fourth inning, the River Cats' Cliff Pennington led off with a walk, and Conrad later singled up the middle for a 2-0 lead.
The Grizzlies came back in the bottom of the inning when Clay Timpner delivered a run-scoring single to cut the River Cats' lead to 2-1. Fresno then tied the score on Matt Downs' sacrifice fly.
But Conrad came through again for the River Cats in the fifth inning, when he hit a two-run double.
Grizzlies starter Nick Pereira allowed five runs on four hits and struck out five in five innings. Scott Munter (2-0) pitched a scoreless ninth for the win. Marshall (1-2) took the loss for the River Cats.
Sacramento catcher Justin Knoedler, a former Grizzly, was 1 for 3 with an RBI.
