Thriller at Chukchans: Fresno Holds Off Lake Elsinore in a 4–3 Nail-Biter

By Larry Belmontes

On a cool Tuesday evening in Fresno, two young arms went head to head in a California League showdown between the Lake Elsinore Storm and the Fresno Grizzlies. It was a battle of 21-year-old right-handers: Johan Carlos Moreno of Lake Elsinore, a Venezuelan prospect, and Fidel Ulloa, a recent Colorado Rockies draftee out of LSU, representing the home Grizzlies. The result? A tense, back-and-forth contest full of aggressive baserunning, timely hitting, and costly miscues, as Fresno edged out Lake Elsinore, 4–3, in a nine-inning chess match.

First Blood: Fresno Strikes Early

The Grizzlies wasted no time getting on the board. After Lake Elsinore went quietly in the top of the first, Fresno outfielder Kelvin Hidalgo launched a solo homer to right field off Storm starter Kash Mayfield, giving the home team a 1–0 lead. It was Hidalgo’s first long ball of the season and a sign of his growing confidence at the plate.

Fresno tacked on another in the second, capitalizing on a series of heads-up plays. Felix Tena singled, stole second, and advanced to third on a single by Francisco Garcia. Then, with Tommy Hopfe at the plate, Lake Elsinore’s pitcher was called for a balk, allowing Tena to score and push the Grizzlies’ lead to 2–0.

Momentum Shifts: Lake Elsinore Strikes Back

Fresno starter Lebarron Johnson Jr. kept Lake Elsinore in check early, but the Storm began to stir in the 6th inning against reliever Fisher Jameson.

Lamar King Jr. led off with a single, and Kavares Tears made it count, blasting a 2-run homer to right-center to tie the game 2–2. It was Tears’ first homer of the season and a thunderous answer to Hidalgo’s earlier blast.

The Storm weren’t done. Alex McCoy doubled, advanced to third on a single by Zach Evans, and scored on a sacrifice fly from Yendry Rojas, giving Lake Elsinore a 3–2 lead and briefly silencing the Chukchansi crowd.

Back Comes Fresno: Late-Game Drama

In the bottom of the 7th, Fresno responded. After a leadoff single from Tommy Hopfe and a walk by Yeiker Reyes, Roynier Hernandez singled to right, scoring Hopfe to tie it 3–3.

Then chaos ensued as a pickoff attempt by reliever Vicarte Domingo went awry, moving the runners into scoring position. A few pitches later, a fielder’s choice and missed catch error allowed Yeiker Reyes to cross the plate, handing Fresno a 4–3 lead an advantage they wouldn’t relinquish.

Tension Through the Ninth

Lake Elsinore had their chances late. In the top of the 9th, they drew two walks off closer Nathan Blasick, but with the tying run on second and go-ahead on first, Ryan Jackson struck out and Lamar King Jr. grounded out to end the threat.

Fresno’s bullpen, featuring Ulloa, Luke Jewett, and Blasick, combined for three shutout innings to seal the win, despite allowing some tense baserunners.

Final Lines and Standouts

Winning Pitcher: Fidel Ulloa (1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 K)

Losing Pitcher: Johan Carlos Moreno (1.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K)

Save: Nathan Blasick (1.0 IP, 1 BB, 1 K)

Offensive Standouts:

Kavares Tears (LE): 2-for-5, HR (1), 2 RBI

Felix Tena (FRE): 1-for-3, BB, 2 SB, Run

Tommy Hopfe (FRE): 1-for-2, BB, SB, Run

Kelvin Hidalgo (FRE): 1-for-4, HR (1)

Takeaways

This game had everything: power, speed, small-ball, and late-inning tension. For Lake Elsinore, the bats showed signs of life, particularly from Tears and King Jr., but defensive errors and missed opportunities on the basepaths proved costly.

Fresno, meanwhile, continues to ride a mix of young talent and opportunistic play. Their aggressive base running, six stolen bases in the game, and ability to capitalize on mistakes made the difference.

Both starting pitchers showed promise. While Ulloa only pitched one inning, he earned the win and showed a glimpse of the command that made him a 7th-round pick. Moreno, despite taking the loss, struck out four in under two innings and flashed his upside as a future arm to watch in the Padres system.

California League Standings

South

1. Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (LAD) – 6-4 (.600) – 6-4 last 10 – W2

2. Inland Empire 66ers (LAA) – 4-6 (.400) – 2 GB – 4-6 last 10 – L1

3. Visalia Rawhide (AZ) – 3-7 (.300) – 3 GB – 3-7 last 10 – L7

4. Lake Elsinore Storm (SD) – 2-8 (.200) – 4 GB – 2-8 last 10 – L1

North

1. Modesto Nuts (SEA) – 8-2 (.800) – 8-2 last 10 – W1

2. San Jose Giants (SF) – 6-4 (.600) – 2 GB – 6-4 last 10 – L1

3. Stockton Ports (ATH) – 6-4 (.600) – 2 GB – 6-4 last 10 – W1

4. Fresno Grizzlies (COL) – 5-5 (.500) – 3 GB – 5-5 last 10 – W1

With the win, Fresno pulls within striking distance in the tight Cal North division race, while Lake Elsinore’s early season struggles continue. Both teams meet again tomorrow night at Chukchansi Park, where the Storm will look to bounce back and even the series.

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