PCL1 Sacramento River Cats

Cats Pounce Early on Chihuahuas in 6-3 Win

Published on June 9, 2016 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Sacramento River Cats News Release


El Paso, TX - The Sacramento River Cats (25-36) defeated the El Paso Chihuahuas (35-24) Thursday night 6-3 in the bandbox that is Southwest University Park. Not only did Sacramento hold the Pacific Coast League's most prolific offense to three runs, they also snapped their six game skid against them.

The River Cats jumped out to an early lead, scoring in each of the first three innings in tonight's ball game. In those first three innings, Sacramento racked up nine of their 12 hits on the night while pushing four runs across in the third frame. Third baseman Mitch Delfino came inches away from hitting the first River Cats' grand slam of the year, smacking a bases-clearing double down the left-field line.

Not to be outdone was second baseman Grant Green. The River Cat veteran finished 3-for-4 with his team-leading 32 RBI. In his two games facing El Paso starter Fabio Castillo this year, Green is now 6-for-6 with two RBI and four runs. Although Sacramento would only register one hit after the fourth inning, the offense did finish 5-for-10 with runners in scoring position. Of the six RBI, one came off the bat of Sacramento's starter Joan Gregorio, his second career RBI and first since their June 3 matchup.

It was the 6'7" right-hander who took the hill for the River Cats tonight, squaring off against Castillo for the first time since their 7-6 heartbreaking loss a week ago. The 23-year-old was determined to exact some revenge, as he picked up his first win of the season tonight while only allowing three earned runs to the best offense in professional baseball. Although Gregorio struck out a season-low two Chihuahuas over his five innings, three of his eight hits and the three runs yielded all came in the fourth inning.

The Chihuahuas, who came into tonight's game hitting .347 as a team at home would be left nipping at the heels of the River Cats for the rest of the game as the bullpen pitched magnificently the rest of the way.

The performance started with Austin Fleet, who went two perfect innings while striking out one to follow Gregorio. Left-hander Braulio Lara pitched himself into a jam early, loading the bases with no outs, but was able to strike out two Chihuahuas in a row before getting a groundout to end the inning unscathed. Right-hander Duke Welker finished up for Lara in the ninth, earning his second save of the season.

Game two tomorrow will feature River Cats right-hander Clayton Blackburn (3-3, 3.66) as the Chihuahuas send a righty of their own to the mound in Carlos Pimentel (5-3, 6.75). First pitch is set for 6:05 p.m. (PT). The game can be heard live online at rivercats.com.

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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 2016 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 June 9, 2016


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