EL PASO, TEXAS --- "ROOOAAARRR!"

Tonight at 8:05 PM EST, the Columbus Clippers, affiliate of the Cleveland Indians, not only entered the 2015 Triple-A National Championship undefeated in the event's history (2-0), but unbeaten in winner-take-all games this season (2-0). Two hours and 34 minutes later, both streaks were torn apart by the Fresno Grizzlies.

Fresno, who led the Pacific Coast League in runs scored with 804, did not forget to showcase their offensive prowess this evening as they plated seven runs in the last game of the Minor League Baseball season! How many did the Clippers score? None.

From the get-go, the Grizzlies saw the ball very well off of Columbus' starter Ryan Merritt by Alex Presley and Tyler White singling after 2015 All-Star Futures Game selection Tony Kemp grounded out. Following a sacrifice fly by Jon Singleton, L.J. Hoes hit a grounder to the normally sure handed Erik Gonzalez. Out number three, right? Wrong! The shortstop's throw sailed over the head of first baseman Jesus Aguilar, plating the second run of the frame. Although the error was just one play, it was a foreshadowing sign of more misfortune to come for Clippers' manager Chris Tremie. 

While the first inning ended with only one more run scoring (on a Robbie Grossman RBI single), the next segment gave a familiar feeling to Merritt, for singles from Kemp and Presley in addition to a double by White brought home two more.

At this moment, the crowd in El Paso gradually started to understand Columbus' ship was sinking and it was not a submarine.

While the affiliate of the Houston Astros hit their opposing starting pitcher very hard, Fresno starter Chris Devenski was nearly unhittable. 

How unhittable you ask?

Devenski, who was making his first career Triple-A start, was perfect through the first five innings of action before allowing a lead-off single to Audy Ciriaco in the sixth.

Yet, unlike other pitchers who would allow things to unravel after the initial base knock, the righty did not let it deter his dominance as he finished the performance by retiring the next six Clippers in order, which included fanning the heart of their lineup (Erik Gonzalez, Jesus Aguilar, and Adam Moore).

As the Astros' 18th prospect departed after striking out nine in seven innings, the Grizzlies continued to a 7-0 victory (Tyler Heineman RBI single in third and Jio Mier RBI single in fifth increased margin from five to seven).

A Tale of the Top of the Lineups

If one would only look at the box score from the 10th Triple-A National Championship, then he or she would automatically make the conclusion that Fresno won by looking at the success of the first three hitters. While the Clippers' top third of the lineup (Tyler Holt, Gonzalez, and Aguilar) collected only one hit in 13 at bats, the Grizzlies (Kemp, Presley, and White) were 6 for 14 with four runs scored and two RBIs.