PCL1 Sacramento River Cats

Brown Lifts Cats with Pinch-Hit Walk-Off Two-Run Homer

Published on September 3, 2015 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Sacramento River Cats News Release


WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The River Cats picked up their 10th walk-off win of the season Wednesday night, topping the Reno Aces 5-4 at Raley Field. Trevor Brown, pinch-hitting with two outs and one on in the bottom of the ninth, launched a walk-off home run that hit off the left field foul pole to send his team home victorious.

Sacramento entered the bottom of the ninth trailing 4-2 following a two-run home run by Reno's Nick Evans. But Mac Williamson led off the home half of the ninth with a screaming line drive home out to left to bring the River Cats to within one. After Brandon Hicks struck out and Carlos Triunfel grounded out harmlessly, Ben Turner reached on a slow roller that just managed to stay fair down the third base line.

With reliever Steven Okert due up next, Trevor Brown came on to pinch-hit. River Cats pinch-hitters have struggled this season, posting a .225 average in 71 at bats and recording just nine RBIs. But Brown turned on an inside fastball, sending the ball soaring down the left field line. It bounced off the foul pole, giving the River Cats a dramatic 5-4 walk-off win. The walk-off hit is Brown's second this season. He picked up his first with an RBI-single in the bottom of the 13th on 8/16 vs. Round Rock.

On the opposite side of the ball, right-hander Edwin Quirarte made his River Cats and Triple-A debut. The side-arm hurler threw four innings of one run ball, allowing six hits and no walks while striking out two. He needed 80 pitches, 49 of which were strikes. He joined the River Cats yesterday after making 23 appearances (six starts) for Double-A Richmond, where he was 0-3 with a 3.68 ERA. He was matched by Reno's starter, righty Archie Bradley, who went seven strong for the Aces, allowing two runs on seven hits and no walks with seven strikeouts.

Neither side issued a walk until the eighth inning. Another new River Cats player, Jeff Kobernus, worked a free pass from Reno reliever Seth Simmons before promptly swiping his first base for Sacramento. Kobernus went 1-for-3 with an RBI, a walk, and a stolen base in his second River Cats game.

Brandon Hicks also homered for the River Cats, giving them three total on the night. The two teams have now combined for nine home runs (River Cats, 5; Aces, 4) in the last two games.

Tomorrow's series finale will feature River Cats right-hander Chris Stratton (3-5, 4.01) going up against Reno's righty Jhoulys Chacin (5-3, 3.39). Stratton has not yet faced Reno this season, but Chacin is getting his third shot against the Cats. The veteran is 1-1 against Sacramento this season with an 0.77 ERA. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.

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The Sacramento River Cats are the Triple-A affiliate of the 2014 World Champion San Francisco Giants. The team plays at Raley Field in West Sacramento, consistently voted one of the top ballparks in America. River Cats Season Tickets, Mini-Plans, and Flex Plans can be purchased for the 2015 season by calling the River Cats Ticket Hotline at (916) 371-HITS (4487). For more information about the River Cats, visit www.rivercats.com. For information on other events at Raley Field, visit www.raleyfield.com.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from September 3, 2015


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