River Cats toss shutout to push Chihuahuas to the brink

September 1, 2019 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Sacramento River Cats News Release

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The Sacramento River Cats (72-67) shutout the El Paso Chihuahuas (80-59) 5-0 behind a great start from right-hander Carlos Navas and a stellar performance from the bullpen. El Paso now sits a game and a half behind Las Vegas with the Aviators in action tonight before the regular season finale tomorrow.

With the Major League roster expansion on Sunday, the River Cats team experienced some changes, with three pitchers and two hitters getting the call to the big leagues. Right-hander Carlos Navas returned to Sacramento for his first outing since June 4, getting the start and tossing four scoreless innings, giving up three hits while fanning three batters.

The River Cats used a trio of arms out of the bullpen to complete the shutout. Switch-pitching Pat Venditte continued to be lights out from the pen, allowing just one hit to go with three strikeouts to pick up his sixth win. Lefty Sam Selman and righty Dan Winkler each tossed a perfect inning to put the game away at 5-0.

Offensively, the River Cats had nine different players reach base safely. Newcomer and younger brother of big leaguer Jason Heyward, Jacob Heyward made his 2019 Sacramento debut, going 1-for-2 with two walks and two runs scored.

The River Cats are expected to let the bullpen piece together the regular season finale with a starter yet to be named, with El Paso also having yet to name a starter. First pitch is set for 1:05 p.m. (PT). Listen to all of the action live online at rivercats.com, on the MiLB First Pitch app, and on Money 105.5 FM.

Additional Notes

With the Major League roster expanding to 40 players today, the River Cats had five players get called up to the San Francisco Giants: RHP Burch Smith, LHP Andrew Suarez, LHP Conner Menez, INF Chris Shaw and C Aramis Garcia.

The River Cats did not allow an extra base hit in today's game and did not allow a hit of any kind after the fourth inning - it was their fifth shutout victory of the season.

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The Sacramento River Cats are the Triple-A affiliate of the three-time World Champion -San Francisco Giants. The team plays at Raley Field in West Sacramento, consistently voted one of the top ballparks in America. Season Tickets, Mini-Plans, and Flex Plans can be purchased for the River Cats' 20th season by calling the River Cats Ticket Hotline at (916) 371-HITS (4487). The only place to guarantee official River Cats tickets is at www.rivercats.com. For information on other events at Raley Field, visit www.raleyfield.com.

Pacific Coast League Stories from September 1, 2019

• Express Topple Chasers 5-3 - Omaha Storm Chasers
• Bees Complete Largest Comeback of the Season - Salt Lake Bees
• Aces Fall in Penultimate Game of 2019 - Reno Aces
• River Cats toss shutout to push Chihuahuas to the brink - Sacramento River Cats
• Chupacabras Calm Cazadores de Tormentas 5-3 - Round Rock Express
• Dillard Dazzles in Front of Sellout Crowd - Nashville Sounds
• Sounds Sink Missions - San Antonio Missions
• Rios Homers and Drives in Five Runs in Dodgers Win - Oklahoma City Comets
• Nashville Sounds Game Information: Nashville Sounds (64-72) vs. San Antonio Missions (80-58) - Nashville Sounds
• Iowa Holds on for 6-5 Victory over Memphis - Iowa Cubs
• Redbirds Rally Late But Just Short at Iowa, 6-5 - Memphis Redbirds
• Game Notes: San Antonio Missions at Nashville Sounds - San Antonio Missions
• OKC Dodgers Game Notes - September 1, 2019 - Oklahoma City Comets
• Game Notes: Memphis Redbirds (69-69) at Iowa Cubs (73-65) - Memphis Redbirds
• Aviators Fall 3-2 to Tacoma - Las Vegas Aviators
• Missions Slug Sounds - San Antonio Missions
• Overton Razor Sharp in Beating Sacramento - El Paso Chihuahuas
• Misiewicz Dominant to Propel Rainiers to Second-Straight Win in Las Vegas - Tacoma Rainiers
• Ward and Grizzlies claw past Isotopes 4-2 Saturday - Fresno Grizzlies
• Cueto superb in second rehab start with Sacramento - Sacramento River Cats
• Grizzlies Take Second in a Row from Isotopes - Albuquerque Isotopes

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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