Preview: Fresno Grizzlies at Ontario Tower Buzzers

ONTARIO, Calif. (Interstat) — The Fresno Grizzlies will look to continue their recent mastery of the Ontario Tower Buzzers and maintain their hold on first place when the California League rivals conclude a six-game series Sunday evening at ONT Field.

First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. under cloudy skies with a game-time temperature of 83 degrees.

The Grizzlies (9-4) have won four of the first five games in this set, including a 5-4 victory Friday night. Fresno has taken the last three contests by a combined four runs after Ontario (6-6) won decisively, 16-9, on Wednesday.

Fresno will send right-hander Brady Parker (1-0) to the mound. Ontario’s probable starter was not announced.

A player to watch for the Grizzlies is right-hander Austin Newton, who earned the win in Friday’s game with 5 2/3 strong innings, allowing one earned run on seven hits while striking out six. In his last three starts, Newton is 3-0 with a 2.45 ERA.

For the Tower Buzzers, reliever Cam Leiter has been effective against Fresno, tossing two perfect innings with three strikeouts in Friday’s loss. Over his last three appearances, Leiter has a 4.50 ERA with 10 strikeouts in seven innings.

Fresno shortstop Wilder Dalis provided the key hit Friday, a three-run home run. Ontario’s Ching-Hsien Ko went 3 for 4 with a homer in the loss.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, the projected final score is Fresno 8, Ontario 6.

Following Sunday’s game, the Grizzlies return home to open a six-game series against the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes on Tuesday. The Tower Buzzers hit the road for a six-game set against the San Jose Giants, also beginning Tuesday.