River Cats to Play Interstate 80 Rival Reno Aces in First Round of PCL Playoffs
Published on August 30, 2011 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Sacramento River Cats News Release
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif., August 30, 2011 - The Sacramento River Cats will face their Interstate 80 rivals, the Reno Aces, in the first round of the Pacific Coast League playoffs. The Aces' 5-2 victory over Fresno on Monday clinched at least a share of the Pacific North Division crown for Reno. In the event the Aces and the second-place Tacoma Rainiers finish with an identical record, Reno will advance to the playoffs as a result of a tiebreaker.
The River Cats will host games 3, 4 and 5 (Sept. 9, 10 and 11) of the five-game Pacific Conference Championship Series at Raley Field (Games 4 and 5 if necessary). Games 1 and 2 will be played at Reno (Triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks).
Sacramento beat Reno, 9-7, in the 2011 season series. The River Cats went 5-3 at home against the Aces and 4-4 on the road. Sacramento holds a 28-20 all-time record against Reno, which has clinched its first playoff berth in its third season. The Aces are led by Manager Brett Butler, who played for the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants during his playing career.
The River Cats clinched their 10th PCL South Division title in 12 seasons with a 15-2 victory against the host Tucson Padres on August 23. The River Cats are the first team in major American professional sports (MLB, NHL, NBA and NFL) to win 10 division championships this century. Sacramento has also matched the Pacific Coast League record for consecutive division titles with five. The Albuquerque Isotopes are the only other team in league history to win five division titles in a row, accomplishing the feat between 1987 and 1991.
If the River Cats advance to the PCL Championship Series (also a best-of-five format) they would again host games 3, 4 and 5 (Sept. 16, 17 and 18) at Raley Field (Games 4 and 5 if necessary). Games 1 and 2 would be played on the road against the American Conference winner. If the River Cats were to win this series and be crowned PCL Champions, they would then play the International League Champion in the Triple-A Baseball National Championship Game in Albuquerque, NM, on Tuesday, September 20.
The complete Playoff schedule is as follows:
PCL Pacific Conference Championship Series (Round 1) PCL Championship Series
Gm. 1: Wed., Sept. 7 at Reno Aces (6:35 p.m.) Gm. 1: Tue., Sept. 13 at American Conference Winner (TBD)
Gm. 2: Thu., Sept. 8 at Reno Aces (6:35 p.m.) Gm. 2: Wed., Sept. 14 at American Conference Winner (TBD)
Gm. 3: Fri., Sept. 9 at Raley Field (7:05 p.m.) Gm. 3: Fri., Sept. 16 at Raley Field (7:05 p.m.)
Gm. 4: Sat., Sept. 10 at Raley Field (7:05 p.m.) - if necessary Gm. 4: Sat., Sept. 17 at Raley Field (7:05 p.m.) - if nec.
Gm. 5: Sun., Sept. 11 at Raley Field (1:05 p.m.) - if necessary Gm. 5: Sun., Sept. 18 at Raley Field (1:05 p.m.) - if nec.
Playoff Promotional Schedule
The River Cats will continue their recurring weekly promotions through the Playoffs, including Toyota Family Value Fridays ($1 hot dogs and $1 desserts and pregame player autographs), Saturday night Sutter Health Postgame Fireworks and U.S. Bank Sunday Funday (Pregame player autographs and postgame kids run bases).
Playoff Ticket Availability
Playoff tickets are available for purchase now with individual game tickets ranging in price from $7 to $60. For the best value, fans may also purchase full Playoff strips, which include all four (6) potential Raley Field Playoff games, starting at $36.
Individual game tickets for the Playoffs will be available at the Raley Field Ticket Office, all Ticketmaster outlets and online at www.rivercats.com/playoffs. Full Playoff strips are available at the Raley Field Ticket Office and www.rivercats.com/playoffs.
Pacific Coast League Stories from August 30, 2011
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- 'Topes rally by 'Birds - Memphis Redbirds
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- Historic Homer Not Enough in Cubs' Loss - Iowa Cubs
- Sounds Even Road Series with 7-3 Win in Iowa - Nashville Sounds
- Round Rock Express Announce Radio Schedule for Remaining Games - Round Rock Express
- US Foodservice Food Drive Set for Friday at Aces Ballpark - Reno Aces
- Rangers Place Pair on DL - Round Rock Express
- River Cats to Play Interstate 80 Rival Reno Aces in First Round of PCL Playoffs - Sacramento River Cats
- Playoff Tickets on Sale Now - Memphis Redbirds
- Castillo Returns to Disabled List - Iowa Cubs
- Cowgill Named PCL Rookie of the Year - Reno Aces
- Round Rock Express - Game Notes at Omaha Storm Chasers - Round Rock Express
- Cowgill Named 2011 PCL Rookie of the Year - PCL1
- RedHawks Game Notes - Oklahoma City Comets
- Kansas City Royals Name Mendoza, Giavotella Omaha Pitcher, Player of the Year - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Ninth-Inning Homer Downs Tucson - Tucson Padres
- Rainiers Walk Off Winners Against Tucson - Tacoma Rainiers
- Aces Clinch Division Title with 5-2 Win Over Fresno - Reno Aces
- Hernandez's Gem Lifts Sacramento Past Las Vegas - Sacramento River Cats
- Lebron, Robinson Star in Chasers Win - Omaha Storm Chasers
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