Fresno Grizzlies home opener filled with excitement, drama and plenty of fireworks afterward

It had been nearly two weeks since the Major League Baseball season got underway and created much of the excitement from baseball being back.

Still, the Fresno Grizzlies’ first home game of the season proved to be worth the wait for many fans who came out Tuesday night.

An announced crowd of 8,794 at Chukchansi Park hollered, stood up and cheered throughout the night, especially while trying to assist the Grizzlies down the stretch of a 5-4 loss to the Stockton Ports.

Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer threw out a ceremonial first pitch.

A group of children shouted “Play Ball” into the microphone to kick off the home season.

There even was a lengthy fireworks show after the game.

Because after all of the challenges that the Grizzlies have endured since the franchise’s inception, surviving 26 seasons has been no easy feat.

And simply getting to enjoy another year of minor league baseball in Fresno perhaps should always be celebrated.

The Grizzlies, who operate these days as the Colorado Rockies’ Single-A affiliate, came up just short against the Ports in their home opener.

Fresno stranded the tying run on third base, as well as the winning run on second to end the game.

The Grizzlies fell in a 5-0 hole after allowing three runs in the fourth and two more runs in the fifth.

Fresno leadoff hitter and second baseman Andy Perez batted 3 for 5 with a double, two runs and an RBI.

Teammate catcher Kody Huff added two RBIs.

But beyond the Grizzlies’ final score and watching prospects develop, many Fresno fans left the downtown ballpark excited again simply because baseball was back.