Cats Slug Their Way to 13-2 Win
Published on July 25, 2014 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Sacramento River Cats News Release
EL PASO, Texas - Nine runs in the first three innings helped the Sacramento River Cats (60-45) defeat the El Paso Chihuahuas (50-56) at Southwest University Park on Thursday night by a score of 13-2.
The River Cats struck first against El Paso in the two clubs final meeting of the 2014 season. With two outs and runners on the corners, Sacramento first baseman Daric Barton put the Cats up 1-0 early with an infield-single to second base that scored Jake Elmore from third.
A wild top of the second inning gave Sacramento a six-run lead over the Chihuahuas that began to put the game away. Center fielder Nick Buss had a big night for the Cats and extended their lead with a two-run triple off El Paso starter Billy Buckner (4-5, 5.74 ERA) that scored Luis Exposito and Anthony Aliotti to make it a 3-0 ballgame. Buss finished a home run shy of the cycle, going 3-for-6 with three runs scored and four RBI, and in the process, extending his hitting-streak to a season-high 10 games.
Shortstop Andy Parrino followed Buss with an RBI-single to left and in the next at-bat, left fielder Shane Peterson reached on a fielding-error that also brought home a run. A sacrifice-fly by Barton plated Parrino and completed the five-run inning, which knocked Buckner out of the game early.
After a solo homer by Chihuahuas designated hitter Cody Decker cut Sacramento's lead to five, the River Cats responded with three more runs in the top of the third, highlighted by Peterson's RBI-double that scored Aliotti and Buss to make the score 9-1. Peterson went 3-for-6 on the evening with his PCL-leading 31st double and two RBI.
Sacramento added two runs in the top of the seventh on an RBI-groundout by Elmore and another run-scoring single by Parrino. Elmore reached base three times in the contest, scoring three runs and driving in one, while Parrino ended the game 2-for-5 with a run scored and two RBI. Buss would add a two-run double in the top of the eighth to make the score 13-2 in favor of the Cats.
Southpaw Tommy Milone (1-0, 5.40 ERA) picked up the win for Sacramento, his first of the year with the club, after tossing six innings, allowing two earned runs on six hits and one walk with eight punchouts. Pacific Coast League All-Star Paul Smyth and Tucker Healy combined for three innings of scoreless relief to seal the victory.
Taking the loss for the Chihuahuas was Buckner, who went just 1.2 innings, surrendering six runs-five earned-while walking five and striking out one. El Paso used six pitchers in total and were unable to keep the Cats offense in check.
The victory gives the River Cats an 8-8 record against El Paso for the 2014 season, and it is likely that the clubs don't meet again until 2015.
Sacramento finishes its road trip in Tacoma to play the Rainiers five times in four days. Arnold Leon (9-4, 4.62 ERA) takes the ball for the River Cats against the Rainiers and righty Matt Palmer (1-8, 5.50 ERA) at Cheney Stadium with first pitch slated for 7:05 p.m.
The River Cats return to Raley Field on July 29 when the team opens an eight-game set that features four games against the Albuquerque Isotopes and the Las Vegas 51s.
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