PCL1 Sacramento River Cats

River Cats Fall to Storm Chasers 5-1 in Series Finale

Published on August 26, 2015 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Sacramento River Cats News Release


OMAHA, NE. - Both starting pitchers came to play in tonight's series finale in Omaha. Sacramento's Clayton Blackburn (8-4, 3.23) notched his ninth quality start, but Omaha's J.C. Sulbaran (3-1, 5.01) was a little bit better, picking up his third win with 5 2/3 scoreless innings as the Storm Chasers beat the River Cats 5-1.

Blackburn entered the game leading the River Cats' starting staff in ERA (3.26) and strikeouts per nine innings (7.2 K/9) and second in wins (8). He had not lost a start since May 25, when he threw five innings of two-run ball at home against the Nashville Sounds. Since then, Blackburn had been 7-0 with a 2.79 ERA in 16 games (13 starts). Tonight, he flashed more of his dominant stuff, giving up three runs (two earned) on nine hits and one walk in 6 2/3 innings of work while striking out three for his ninth quality start of the year.

Sulbaran came into the game making just his sixth start since being promoted to the Storm Chasers from the Double-A Northwest Arkansas Naturals. Since joining the PCL, Sulbaran has had mixed results, going 2-1 with a 6.08 ERA. He was excellent tonight, though, shutting out the River Cats and scattering just five hits and one walk while striking out three in 5 2/3 innings.

The Storm Chasers scored their first run in the bottom of the fifth inning on an Alex Gordon RBI-single. Gordon, who started his minor league rehab assignment on the first game of the series, hit .333 with a home run, three RBI, and three runs scored.

Blackburn's night came to an end with two away in the seventh inning. The right-hander gave up a single to Dusty Coleman before walking Gordon. Clay Rapada entered the game to relieve him, and that's when Omaha blew the game open. The Storm Chasers batted around in the inning, taking advantage of four hits, two walks, and a River Cats error to score four times in the inning. The big hit came off the bat of Brett Eibner, whose bases-loaded double scored two and capped the inning, putting Omaha up 5-0.

The River Cats came through with a run in the top of the eighth inning. After Angel Pagan singled and Ryan Lollis doubled, Jarrett Parker grounded out to second base, bringing home Pagan. Lollis continued to look good at the plate for Sacramento, going 2-for-4 with two doubles and raising his team-leading batting average to .335. Pagan, making his second rehab appearance for the River Cats, went 1-for-4 with a bloop base hit and a run scored. The center fielder was 2-for-3 last night with a walk and two runs scored and is expected to rejoin the Giants for their game tomorrow.

The River Cats will head to Iowa next for a four-game set against the Iowa Cubs at Principal Park. Left-hander Nik Turley (6-6, 6.46) will get things started for Sacramento, taking the mound for his eighth road start of the year. The Cubs have yet to announce a starter. First pitch is set for 4:38 p.m. (PT) and the game can be heard live online at rivercats.com. The game will also join in progress on the air on ESPN 1320.

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The Sacramento River Cats are the Triple-A affiliate of the 2014 World Champion San Francisco Giants. The team plays at Raley Field in West Sacramento, consistently voted one of the top ballparks in America. River Cats Season Tickets, Mini-Plans, and Flex Plans can be purchased for the 2015 season by calling the River Cats Ticket Hotline at (916) 371-HITS (4487). For more information about the River Cats, visit www.rivercats.com. For information on other events at Raley Field, visit www.raleyfield.com.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from August 26, 2015


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