PCL1 Sacramento River Cats

River Cats Offense Lacks Thunder in 5-1 Loss to Oklahoma City

Published on May 29, 2016 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Sacramento River Cats News Release


West Sacramento, CA - It was a stagnant night for the Sacramento River Cats (21-29) as they fell 5-1 to the Oklahoma City Dodgers (25-22), ending their six-game win streak against them.

Home runs were the Achilles' heel for the River Cats Saturday night, as they surrendered three dingers in a game for the first time since losing 14-13 on April 8 to Salt Lake. Tonight's starting pitcher, left-hander Matt Lujan, was the main culprit as he gave up two of them, his second straight start allowing two home runs. On the year, Lujan now leads all Sacramento pitchers with eight long balls yielded, seven of which have come at Raley Field.

Lujan went four innings in the spot start for the scheduled Chris Stratton, allowing five hits with three runs (all earned), and five strikeouts. It was the southpaw's third straight start allowing three earned runs and in those starts, has only seen seven runs of support.

Right-hander Austin Fleet would come in to relieve Lujan in the fifth, but fared no better. In his two innings of work, Fleet allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits, one of which was a home run off the bat of Dodgers' first baseman Rob Segedin.

Fleet and Lujan would each be responsible for the two errors committed by Sacramento on the night, coming on errant pickoff throws. The River Cats now fall to 3-8 when committing two or more errors and 0-4 at home.

Although Sacramento was able to pull out a wild walk-off finish in last night's contest, the trend of stranding runners continued. A night after going 3-for-17 with runners in scoring position, the River Cats offense only managed one hit with runners in scoring position in seven tries (1-for-7).

Although the loss snapped the River Cats' six-game win streak against the Dodgers, Darren Ford provided a bit of light. The left fielder registered the only RBI on the night and is now 4-for-14 (.286) with two runs scored in his last four games. Mitch Delfino has been making his presence felt in the lineup since being inserted as the team's every day third baseman, hitting .316 (6-for-19) in his last five games with two RBI, three runs and four free passes.

It will be a Sunday matinee in tomorrow's third game of the series as the River Cats send RHP Joan Gregorio (0-1, 3.60) to the hill. He will face the Oklahoma City Dodgers' RHP Jharel Cotton (3-3, 5.97). First pitch is at 1:05 p.m. and the game can be heard live online at rivercats.com and on the air at ESPN 1320.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from May 29, 2016


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