PCL1 Sacramento River Cats

River Cats Game Two Playoff Notes

September 4, 2003 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Sacramento River Cats News Release


The River Cats...today will play the second game of a best-of-five series against the Edmonton Trappers in the Pacific Conference Championship Series (PCCS). The Cats went 11-5 in the regular season and are 27-22 all-time against the Trappers. During their four seasons in Sacramento, the River Cats are 12-13 (2003: 5-4) at TELUS Field in Edmonton.

Last Night's Game...Sacramento beat the Edmonton Trappers 16-2 at TELUS Field in Edmonton (Canada). RHP Justin Duchscherer earned the win, allowing no runs on 1 H in 6.0 IP. SS Jose Flores led the Cats' offense with 5 H (4 RBI).

Playoff Schedule/Results...The Cats lead the Pacific Conference Championship Series, 1-0.

Date Opponent Time (Result) Series
1) Wednesday at PCL North Champion 16-2 (W) Lead series 1-0
2) Thursday at PCL North Champion 6:05 pm - - - - -
3) Friday PCL North Champion 7:05 pm - - - - -
4) Saturday PCL North Champion (if necessary) 7:05 pm - - - - -
5) Sunday PCL North Champion (if necessary) 1:05 pm - - - - -

Postseason History...This season marks Sacramento's third postseason appearance in four years. The Cats have never made it past the PCCS, eliminated by Salt Lake (2-3) in 2000 and Tacoma (2-3) in 2001. In 11 postseason games, Sacramento is 2-3 at home and 3-3 on the road.

Team Win Record...This season, the Cats set the club record for wins in a season. The previous record was 90 wins, established by the 2000 River Cats (90-54). Sacramento went 92-52 (40 games above .500) this year.

Home & Road Comparisons...The Cats led the PCL with 50 home wins (50-22) this season and finished second in the league with 42 wins on the road (42-30). Only the Omaha Royals had a better road record (45-26).

Strong In August...The River Cats went 23-7 in 30g in August, matching a club record for wins in a month. The Cats set the club record in May of this season (23-7 in May).

Roster Moves...Yesterday, the Cats activated RHP Joe Blanton from Midland (AA) and sent RHP Luke Robertson to Modesto (A). Sacramento recently activated SS Mike Rouse (Sunday) and 1B Dan Johnson (Monday) from Midland. SS Bobby Crosby was recalled by Oakland on Sunday. (see transactions, page 6)

Record Breakers...RHP Justin Duchscherer (14-2) became the first Cats pitcher to win 12 games in a season. 1B Graham Koonce (34 HR) broke the team's single-season HR record. Koonce set a new club record for RBI in a season (114 RBI) and bases on balls in a season (98 BB). SS Bobby Crosby had a 20 HR / 20 SB season (fifth in club history).

Bombs Away...The River Cats finished the regular season with 153 HR (144 games), most in all of Minor League Baseball. Sacramento homered in 96 of 144 games. 1B Graham Koonce led the minor leagues with 34 HR.

Today's Starting Pitcher...LHP John Rheinecker (2-0, 3.79) tonight will make his seventh start for the River Cats. He is 0-0 with a 3.65 ERA in two road starts. Rheinecker received no decision in his last start, allowing 4 ER on 10 H in 6.2 IP on Aug. 29 at Las Vegas. He went 9-6 with a 4.74 ERA in 23 starts with Midland (AA) this year.

Check out the Sacramento River Cats Statistics



Pacific Coast League Stories from September 4, 2003


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