River Cats Blast Past Tacoma, 14-3
Published on July 20, 2012 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Sacramento River Cats News Release
TACOMA, Wash. - Kila Ka'aihue hit two of Sacramento's three home runs Thursday, propelling the River Cats to a 14-3 victory and a series win over the Tacoma Rainiers at Cheney Stadium.
A day after Sacramento mustered just one run in 18 innings of baseball, the offense exploded for 14 runs on 14 hits. The Cats broke the game open with an eight-run fourth inning, during which Ka'aihue and Grant Green both went deep. Bruce Billings and a tired River Cats bullpen did the rest, keeping Tacoma at bay to ensure the 3-1 series victory.
Thursday's game was the final matchup between the teams this season, with Sacramento taking 9-of-16 games against the Rainiers.
Billings (6-3) gave the Cats five innings, striking out five and holding Tacoma to just two runs. Arnold Leon, Fautino de los Santos and Merkin Valdez battled through the final four innings after the Cats played 31 total innings over the past two days.
The loss fell to Rainiers starter Hector Noesi (0-1), who allowed 10 runs-nine earned-in five innings of work. Noesi struck out three and walked three.
Ka'aihue and Green combined for three home runs and eight RBIs in the game, while the bottom third of the Cats order contributed as well. Shane Peterson, Stephen Parker and Jermaine Mitchell-hitting seventh, eighth and ninth in the order, respectively-finished 5-for-12 with five runs and four RBIs.
The River Cats return to Raley Field on Friday for a Toyota Family Value Night, where the team will also be celebrating Peace, Love and Baseball. Friday's game opens a four-game set against the Tucson Padres, with Sacramento RHP Brad Peacock (7-6, 6.75 ERA) set to square off against Tucson RHP Matt Palmer (5-6, 6.72 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
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