Cats' Offense Comes Alive in 9-3 Win

July 13, 2013 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Sacramento River Cats News Release

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Seven different River Cats hitters drove in at least one run, led by outfielder Michael Choice who went 2-for-4 with two RBI in a 9-3 win over the Fresno Grizzlies on Friday night at Raley Field.

Both teams were kept off the board until the third inning, when Stephen Vogt broke through with an RBI single to score Andy Parrino. Choice followed up two spots in the lineup later to lift a ball deep enough to left field to allow Jemile Weeks to reach home. An RBI single off the bat of Daric Barton capped the inning's scoring at three. Fresno responded in the next frame to cut their deficit to one, plating two runs off of Todd Linden's 7th double of the season.

From there it would be all Cats, as Sacramento went on to score in four consecutive innings to put the Grizzlies away. Michael Taylor started the run in the fifth inning, doubling home Weeks and Choice to push the Cats lead to 5-2. Weeks produced a run of his own in the sixth inning, grounding a ball up the middle for his 24th RBI on the year. From there three different Cats would combine to drive in the Cats last three runs.

Left-handed reliever Pedro Viola earned his first win as River Cat, coming in in relief of starter Travis Banwart to throw 1.1 innings of scoreless relief. Grizzlies starter Justin Fitzgerald dropped to 0-3 on the season, giving up four earned runs off six hits and four walks in 5.0 innings of work. Banwart went 4.2 innings in his 14th start for Sacramento, giving up two runs on six hits while striking out six but failed to go the necessary 5.0 innings to qualify for a decision.

Cats infielder Hiro Nakajima extended his hitting streak to nine games, moving him to within one more game of tying his season high. On the night the second baseman went 1-for-4 with one RBI. Choice remained tied with him for the active team-high hitting streak with a quality night at the plate. The outfielder boasts a nine game hit streak as well after his two hit, two RBI performance at the plate.

The River Cats return to Raley Field on Sutter Health Fireworks Saturday for the third installment of their series with the Grizzlies. Arnold Leon (1-1, 3.75 ERA) will make his third start of the season for the Cats, with Yusmeiro Petit (3-4, 5.93 ERA) set to oppose him.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from July 13, 2013

• Zephyrs Homer Twice in 4-2 Win - Oklahoma City Comets
• Marks, Herrera Combine for 6th Shutout of Season - Omaha Storm Chasers
• Zephyrs Take Down OKC in 4-2 Victory - New Orleans Baby Cakes
• Redbirds Win 5-4 in Comeback Fashion - Memphis Redbirds
• Pitching Staff Solid, Offense Ineffective in Eighth Shutout Loss - Round Rock Express
• Sounds Stung by Ninth-Inning Rally in 5-4 Loss to Redbirds - Nashville Sounds
• RedHawks Game Notes: July 13, 2013 - Oklahoma City Comets
• Padres Sweep Doubleheader in Las Vegas - Tucson Padres
• Rainiers Fall To Reno, 4-1 - Tacoma Rainiers
• Cats' Offense Comes Alive in 9-3 Win - Sacramento River Cats
• Aces Win Fourth-Straight, 4-1 - Reno Aces
• Sky Sox Give up Six Runs After the Seventh to Fall to the Bees, 7-5 - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
• Manny Ramirez Blasts Round Rock Past Omaha - Omaha Storm Chasers
• Isotopes Shut Down by Iowa - Albuquerque Isotopes
• Manny Ramirez Blasts Round Rock Past Omaha - Omaha Storm Chasers
• Redbirds Top Sounds 6-3 in Extras - Memphis Redbirds
• Sounds Fall 6-3 in Extra Innings - Nashville Sounds
• Ramirez's Homer Lifts Express to 7-6 Win - Round Rock Express

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