Gray Shines as Cats Take Opener, 5-2

May 11, 2013 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Sacramento River Cats News Release

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Sonny Gray spun six shutout innings in his return to the Music City, striking out eight and winning his third-straight game, a 5-2 victory over the Nashville Sounds on Saturday night at Herschel Greer Stadium.

Gray, who grew up in nearby Smyrna, Tenn., and played collegiately at Vanderbilt University, tossed his third-straight quality start in front of a "home" crowd. Over his past three starts-all wins-Gray has allowed just two earned runs in 21 innings, lowering his ERA from 3.94 to a sparkling 2.19. With the win, he improved to 4-1 on the season and climbed up the Pacific Coast League's ERA leaderboard.

Michael Choice snapped out of his 0-for-18 slump in the fourth inning, hitting a two-run homer to give Sacramento a 2-0 lead. In the seventh, Jemile Weeks tripled and scored on a Grant Green RBI single, and Scott Moore's RBI double later in the inning made it 4-0 Sacramento. Choice tacked on an RBI single in the ninth and the River Cats bullpen did the rest, helping the Cats improve to 2-3 on their current eight-game road trip through Tennessee.

The loss fell to Sounds starter Tyler Thornburg (0-4), whose lone blemish was the Choice home run. He allowed seven hits and struck out 10 River Cats hitters in 5.2 innings of work.

Five different Cats hitters had at least two hits in the game, and Shane Peterson extended his season-high hitting streak to 10 games with a fourth-inning single. Scott Moore led the charge with a 3-for-4 night.

A pair of southpaws are scheduled to do battle Sunday afternoon, with Sacramento's Andrew Werner (2-5, 8.54) set to face Nashville's Zach Kroenke (0-5, 7.30 ERA). First pitch from Greer Stadium will be at 12:05 p.m. PT. The River Cats return home for an eight-game homestand beginning Thursday, May 16, at 7:05 p.m.

• Discuss this story on the Pacific Coast League message board...

Pacific Coast League Stories from May 11, 2013

• Vegas Wins with Walks Off - Albuquerque Isotopes
• Tucson defeats Round Rock - Tucson Padres
• Dickerson's Five RBIs Lead Sky Sox Past Storm Chasers, 10-7 - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
• Aces Drop First Game of Series to Cubs - Reno Aces
• Sky Sox Storm Back to Beat Chasers - Omaha Storm Chasers
• Sky Sox Storm Back to Beat Chasers - Omaha Storm Chasers
• Bees Stop RedHawks, 6-4, Saturday - Oklahoma City Comets
• Tacoma Walks All over Zephyrs in 14-1 Rout - New Orleans Baby Cakes
• Gray Shines as Cats Take Opener, 5-2 - Sacramento River Cats
• Gray Leads River Cats Past Sounds in Homecoming - Nashville Sounds
• Six-Run Sixth Sinks Redbirds, 6-5 - Memphis Redbirds
• Rainiers Knock Off New Orleans 14-1 - Tacoma Rainiers
• Sellers and Herrera Join Topes - Albuquerque Isotopes
• RedHawks Game Notes: May 11, 2013 - Oklahoma City Comets
• Topes Fall in Finale - Albuquerque Isotopes
• A Fine Friday Night in Reno for the Chasers - Omaha Storm Chasers
• Sounds Drop Series Finale in Extras, 5-4 - Nashville Sounds
• Express Splits Series With 12-6 Win Over 51's - Round Rock Express
• Tucson wins over Albuquerque - Tucson Padres
• Redbirds Power Past Sacramento in Series Finale, 10-3 - Memphis Redbirds
• Zephyrs Outlast Rain, Bees to Win in 10 - New Orleans Baby Cakes
• Zephyrs Outlast Rain, Bees to Win in 10 - New Orleans Baby Cakes
• Peterson Extends Streak in Cats' 10-3 Loss - Sacramento River Cats
• Peterson Extends Streak in Cats' 10-3 Loss - Sacramento River Cats
• Sky Sox Beat Cubs 11-1 to Move into First Place - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
• A Fine Friday Night in Reno for the Chasers - Omaha Storm Chasers

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Sacramento River Cats Stories

• Second Half Promotional Schedule Announced by River Cats
• Whisenhunt Carves Way to PCL Pitcher of the Week Honor
• Sacramento River Cats Unveil Gold Diggers Alternate Identity
• Carson Seymour Tabbed PCL Pitcher of the Week
• Brett Auerbach Named PCL Player of the Week