PCL1 Sacramento River Cats

River Cats Beat Padres 5-3, Take First Game of Series

August 17, 2013 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Sacramento River Cats News Release


WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Michael Choice recorded three hits and Daric Barton scored three times to celebrate his birthday as the River Cats won the first game of a five-game set against the Tucson Padres 5-3, on Friday night.

Sacramento's birthday boy helped get the River Cats on the board in the first inning when he hit his first triple of the season and was later brought home by a Shane Peterson groundout. The River Cats struck again in the second on an Andy Parrino single and again in the third on a Michael Choice single.

The River Cats extended their lead to two in the bottom of the eighth with a Michael Taylor sacrifice fly and a Ryan Ortiz single. Tucson pieced together a decent run of a sacrifice fly, a line drive, and a solo home run but it wasn't enough as the River Cats pitching staff held them off for the 5-3 win.

Barton ended his night batting 2-for-3 with two runs scored, a single, a triple, and a walk. Choice finished 3-for-4 with an RBI and one run scored, while Jemile Weeks was 1-for-4 with his 10th triple of the year.

Righty Travis Banwart struck out five batters and gave up one earned run off four hits in his six-inning appearance to earn the win. It was his ninth win of the season. Relievers Kyler Newby and Pedro Figueroa combined for two scoreless innings of relief.

Brian Gordon gave up a home run and a hit in the ninth before striking out the next three batters and shut the door on the T-Pads to secure a River Cats win. It was Gordon's 17th save of the season.

T-Pads starter Anthony Bass gave up three earned runs on eight hits and a walk, while striking out four over five innings of work, and was tagged with the loss.

Lefty Tommy Milone (0-0, 1.74 ERA) will be on the mound Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. as he attempts to lead the River Cats to a win in game two of the five-game set against Tucson. He faces right-handed pitcher Brandon Kloess (3-5, 4.35) who is on the hill for the T-Pads.

The River Cats are back at Raley Field on Saturday, Aug. 17 looking for another win against the Tucson Padres in game two of the five-game homestand. Saturday night's game will feature Sutter Health Fireworks and Sunday's matchup will include a Mario Encarnacion bobblehead giveaway.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from August 17, 2013


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