PCL1 Sacramento River Cats

Billings' Gem Leads Cats Past Hawks, 6-3

Published on May 18, 2013 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Sacramento River Cats News Release


WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Bruce Billings limited Oklahoma City to just three hits and one walk in seven scoreless innings with eight strikeouts, leading Sacramento to a 6-3 victory on Sutter Health Fireworks Saturday at Raley Field.

The game started as a pitchers' duel, as the two teams took a scoreless tie into the bottom of the fifth inning. In that frame, however, the River Cats plated all six of their runs.

Jeremy Barfield led off the inning with a walk, followed by a bunt-single from Andy Parrino. After Jemile Weeks reached on a fielder's choice, advancing Barfield to third, a run scored on a wild pitch with Hiro Nakajima at the plate. The River Cats went on to bat around in the inning, but not before Grant Green drew a bases-loaded walk, and Stephen Vogt and Scott Moore delivered run-scoring singles.

Despite sitting on a 6-0 lead, Billings didn't relent, exiting in favor of Pedro Vidal to begin the seventh inning after throwing 95 pitches in seven shutout innings. Vidal allowed all three of Oklahoma City's runs on a three-run home run from former River Cat Brett Wallace. After Vidal gave up a single to the following batter, Evan Scribner came on in relief, striking out the only batter he faced in the frame to end the threat. Scribner came back out in the ninth, shutting the door for his first save, securing his team's 6-3 win.

The win is Billings' fourth of the season-and the 50th in his minor league career-moving his record to 4-2 on the year. Michael Taylor paced the River Cats offensively, going 2-for-3 with a run scored. Despite winning 6-3, Sacramento was out-hit by Oklahoma City, 8-6. The River Cats drew five walks to the RedHawks' two.

The loss was charged to Jarred Cosart, who gave up three earned in 4.1 innings. Wallace accounted for the entirety of Oklahoma City's run production, finishing 2-for-4 with three RBIs.

2,500 fans will receive a Barry Zito bobblehead and a bobblefield before the series finale on U.S. Bank Sunday Funday at 1:05 p.m. when River Cats southpaw Justin Thomas (2-2, 4.50 ERA) starts opposite former River Cat Brad Peacock (0-1, 4.91 ERA) at Raley Field.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from May 18, 2013


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