PCL1 Sacramento River Cats

River Cats Playoff Notes

Published on September 3, 2003 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Sacramento River Cats News Release


The River Cats...today will play the first game of a best-of-five series against the Edmonton Trappers in the Pacific Conference Championship Series (PCCS). The Cats are 11-5 this season and 26-22 all-time against the Trappers. During their four seasons in Sacramento, the River Cats are 11-13 (2003: 4-4) at TELUS Field in Edmonton.

Playoff Schedule/Results...The Cats and Trappers will begin the Pacific Conference Championship Series tonight.

Date Opponent Time (Result) Series
1) Wednesday at PCL North Champion 6:05 pm Series tied 0-0
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 (Cats in Series Openers)...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 10 postseason games, Sacramento is 2-3 at home and 2-3 on the road. The Cats are 1-1 in postseason series openers.

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...Today, 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.

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...RHP Justin Duchscherer (14-2, 3.25) tonight will make his 25th appearance (24th start) of the season. He has won his last 11 decisions and has not lost since June 3. Duchscherer was named the 2003 PCL Pitcher of the Year. He led the league with 14 wins and had the PCL's fourth-best ERA (3.25). Duchscherer pitched two innings in the 2003 Triple-A All-Star Game, representing the PCL as its starting pitcher. He won his last start, allowing just 2 ER on 6 H in 6.2 IP on Aug. 28 against Tucson. (bio, page 5)

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Pacific Coast League Stories from September 3, 2003


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