River Cats Open Road Trip with 5-3 Defeat

June 1, 2013 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Sacramento River Cats News Release

TACOMA, Wash. - Andrew Werner turned in his sixth-straight quality start for the River Cats, but Sacramento was bested by the Tacoma Rainiers on Saturday night at Cheney Stadium, 5-3.

The River Cats jumped ahead early with a three-run first inning, but the Rainiers clawed back, eventually taking the lead for good in the seventh. Werner started the seventh with the score tied at three, but a double, triple and suicide squeeze gave Tacoma a pair of runs and their first lead of the night. Evan Scribner relieved Werner-keeping Tacoma off the board the rest of the game-but the Cats could not mound a late-inning comeback.

The loss was Sacramento's third straight after winning six of their previous seven games, and came on the first day of a season-long 13-game, 12-day road trip to Tacoma, Tucson and Reno.

Werner (4-8) pitched well in the losing effort, surrendering five runs-three earned-in 6.1 innings. It was the third-straight loss for Werner, who received zero runs of support in each of his last two starts prior to Saturday.

The win went to veteran Brian Sweeney (7-1), after the 38-year-old tossed three scoreless innings in relief of starter James Paxton. Logan Bawcom picked up his 10th save with a scoreless ninth.

Hiro Nakajima extended his season-best hitting streak to six games with a two-hit night, raising his average from .245 to .317 during the streak. Scott Moore added two hits as well, and is now over the .300 plateau for the first time this season,

The River Cats and Rainiers continue the series Sunday afternoon at 1:35 p.m. PT from Cheney Stadium, with Sacramento right-hander Bruce Billings (6-2, 4.78 ERA) scheduled to face Tacoma righty Erasmo Ramirez (0-0, No ERA).

The River Cats return home Friday, June 14, for a four-game set against Tacoma, featuring a pair of fireworks shows and the annual Father's Day Baseball and BBQ event at Raley Field, set for Sunday, June 16.

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