River Cats drop playoff series opener to Aviators
September 5, 2019 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Sacramento River Cats News Release
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The Sacramento River Cats (0-1) opened up the 2019 Pacific Conference playoffs on Wednesday, dropping game one to the Las Vegas Aviators (1-0) 9-3 despite matching hit totals with the visiting Athletics affiliate.
The River Cat tallied eight hits on the evening, but struggled with runners in scoring position, finishing just 2-for-9. Mike Gerber drove in runs in the first and third, accounting for two of his three hits on the night. Catcher Francisco Peña picked up a pair of hits, including a double, but Sacramento stranded 10 baserunners as a team on Wednesday.
Right-hander Ryan Halstead got the start in what was just his second Triple-A appearance of the season and his first since August 3 against Round Rock. Halstead got through the first two innings with the score knotted at one, but Las Vegas dropped a five-spot in the third to take the lead for good at 6-1. Flame-thrower Melvin Adon and lefty Sam Selman combined to toss two perfect innings of relief in the loss.
The River Cats look to even the series tomorrow night with righty Chase Johnson (1-2, 7.64) taking the hill for game two. Las Vegas will counter with right-hander Parker Dunshee (4-5, 5.38). First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m. (PT). Listen to all of the action live online at rivercats.com, on the MiLB First Pitch app, and on Money 105.5 FM.
Additional Notes
The last time the River Cats won a home playoff game was on September 6, 2012, when the they shut out the Reno Aces 1-0 in game two of their series. Sacramento would go on to lose that series in five games.
Joe McCarthy snapped an 0-for-27 stretch when he singled in the sixth inning Wednesday night. The outfielder struck out 17 times during that nine-game period which began on August 25.
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The Sacramento River Cats are the Triple-A affiliate of the three-time World Champion -San Francisco Giants. The team plays at Raley Field in West Sacramento, consistently voted one of the top ballparks in America. Season Tickets, Mini-Plans, and Flex Plans can be purchased for the River Cats' 20th season by calling the River Cats Ticket Hotline at (916) 371-HITS (4487). The only place to guarantee official River Cats tickets is at www.rivercats.com. For information on other events at Raley Field, visit www.raleyfield.com.
Pacific Coast League Stories from September 5, 2019
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