Cats Drop Wild Extra-Inning Affair in Fresno, 9-8
July 6, 2012 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Sacramento River Cats News Release
FRESNO, Calif. - In a game that saw late-inning heroics from both sides, Fresno came out on top Thursday night, defeating Sacramento in 10 innings at Chukchansi Park, 9-8.
The fireworks started in the eighth with Sacramento trailing 6-4, when Luke Hughes hit a two-out, three-run homer to give Sacramento a 7-6 lead. That lead would hold until the bottom of the ninth, when Brett Pill forced extra innings with an RBI double off Merkin Valdez.
The tie game did not last long, as Josh Donaldson led off the top of the 10th inning with a solo blast to give the River Cats another late one-run lead. But Fresno stormed back again, plating two runs in the 10th on an RBI single by Conor Gillaspie and an error on the play by Jermaine Mitchell, giving the Grizzlies the walk-off win and snapping a six-game losing skid against their Highway 99 rivals.
PCL All-Star Game starting pitcher Graham Godfrey started but did not factor in the decision, allowing six earned runs in four innings. Pedro Figueroa (0-1) suffered the defeat after giving up the game-winning runs in the 10th.
Despite allowing the Donaldson home run, Scott Munter (3-1) earned the win in relief of Fresno starter Eric Hacker.
In addition to the home runs by Hughes and Donaldson, Grant Green recorded his second-consecutive four-hit game, going 4-for-5 with an RBI. Eric Sogard finished with three hits for the River Cats, who lost despite out-hitting Fresno, 17-12.
The two teams square off again Friday night, when minor league strikeout leader Dan Straily (2-1, 1.42 ERA) gets the nod for Sacramento against Fresno lefty Matt Yourkin (2-4, 8.61 ERA). First pitch from Chukchansi Park is set for 7:05 p.m. PT.
Sacramento returns home Thursday, July 12, for a four-game homestand against the Las Vegas 51s. The homestand opener is set for 7:05 p.m. at Raley Field, and is Country Night and a Miller Lite Thirsty Thursday. Fans are encouraged to call (916) 371-HITS for details.
Pacific Coast League Stories from July 6, 2012
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- Four Isotopes to Take Part in New Mexico Fire Relief - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Sands Smashes Walk-Off Homer in 10-9 'Topes Win - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Cats Drop Wild Extra-Inning Affair in Fresno, 9-8 - Sacramento River Cats
- Las Vegas wins over Tucson - Tucson Padres
- Round Rock Express Squander Late Lead at Albuquerque - Round Rock Express
- Sox Shut Down One Day After 19-Run Explosion in 5-1 Loss - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
- Salt Lake rolls to 9-5 win - Salt Lake Bees
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