PCL1 Sacramento River Cats

Runs Are Gone with the Wind as Bees Blank Cats

Published on April 9, 2016 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Sacramento River Cats News Release


SALT LAKE CITY, UT - One night after knocking out 11 hits, the River Cats offense went cold as Sacramento was shut out by the Bees on a wild and windy evening in Salt Lake. Chris Stratton flashed short bursts of dominance, but was inconsistent overall as the Bees rolled to a 6-0 win over Sacramento.

The River Cats were shut out for the first time on the young season as the Bees pitchers held the offense to just four hits on the night. Jarrett Parker, Mac Williamson, Grant Green, and Hak-Ju Lee were responsible for the four hits for Sacramento. Green and Lee are now hitting .364 and .333, respectively, to lead the River Cats.

In his first start of the season, Stratton got off to a rocky start, falling behind to Salt Lake immediately. For the second time in three games, the Bees put a run on the board in the first inning, scoring on an RBI-groundout off the bat of Todd Cunningham. Stratton seemed to settle in, getting out of the inning without any further damage, but surrendered another three runs in the second inning and two in the fourth.

In between the bad, though, was the very good, as Stratton had two 1-2-3 innings, sitting the Bees down in order in both the third and fifth innings. Overall, the right-hander went six innings, allowing six runs (all earned) on nine hits. He didn't walk a batter and struck out three.

The bullpen continued to look good behind Stratton as Austin Fleet, Braulio Lara, and Jake Dunning combined to throw two hitless innings. In three games, the Sacramento 'pen has pitched 7.1 innings and allowed just one run on three hits while striking out four.

With the loss, Sacramento drops to 0-3 for the first time since the start of 2013 season when they lost their first three games against the Las Vegas 51s. That year is the only other time the River Cats have lost three straight to open a campaign. They have never fallen to 0-4 to start a season.

The River Cats will look to avoid being swept by the Bees in tomorrow's matinee contest. Left-hander Matt Lujan (0-0, No ERA) will make his Triple-A debut with Sacramento and look to replicate a successful 2015 campaign with Double-A Richmond. It'll be Tyler Skaggs for Salt Lake. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim lefty is with Salt Lake on a rehab assignment to open the season. First pitch is set for 12:05 p.m. and the game can be heard live online at rivercats.com and on the air on ESPN 1320.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from April 9, 2016


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