PCL1 Sacramento River Cats

Saturday Night Special Walk-Off

Published on June 29, 2014 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Sacramento River Cats News Release


WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. - In a game that saw eight lead changes, the Sacramento River Cats bested the Las Vegas 51s by a score of 7-6 on Nick Buss' walk-off ground-rule double in the bottom of the 10th inning in front of 12,505 fans on Saturday night at Raley Field.

With runners on second and third with two outs in the bottom of the 10th inning, left fielder Nick Buss hit a ground-rule double over the right-field fence scoring designated hitter Anthony Aliotti from third to give the Cats the 7-6 seesaw victory over the 51s.

Buss, equipped with a new walk-up song (Magic Buss by The Who), finished the game 4-for-6 with two runs, a stolen base, and the game-winning RBI. Aliotti ended up 3-for-5 with a run and two doubles.

Las Vegas and Sacramento traded runs in the first inning with the 51s scoring on an RBI-single off the bat of shortstop Wilmer Flores and the River Cats matching it in the bottom half of the frame on an RBI-single by first baseman Daric Barton.

The 51s notched a run in the top of the third to take a brief 2-1 lead, but the River Cats exploded for four runs in the home-half of the inning to take their first lead of the contest. All nine batters made plate appearances for Sacramento in the four-run third inning that was highlighted by an RBI-double by shortstop Andy Parrino, an RBI-single center fielder Shane Peterson, and a two-out two-run bloop-single delivered by rookie right fielder Josh Whitaker, giving the Cats a 5-2 advantage.

Las Vegas bounced back to tie the game at five with three runs in the sixth inning, including a two-run triple by center fielder Matt den Dekker that knocked Sacramento starter Zach Neal (2-2, 4.96 ERA) out of the game.

Neal took a no-decision after tossing 5.2 innings and allowing five runs (three earned) on 11 hits with no walks and two strikeouts.

The 51s one-run edge did not last long, however, as the Cats retook the lead in the bottom of the sixth on a Peterson sac-fly that plated left fielder Nick Buss from third base.

Cats righty Jeremy McBryde blew his second-consecutive ninth inning save opportunity after giving up a solo home run to 51s designated hitter Allan Dykstra. McBryde had been a perfect 7-for-7 in save opportunities entering this series with the 51s.

Peterson finished 2-for-4 with two runs, a double, and two RBI and Whitaker completed the game 2-for-5 with RBI.

River Cats reliever Jose Flores recorded one out after spelling Neal in the sixth and lefty Eric O'Flaherty pitched a scoreless seventh inning of relief. Fellow southpaw Joe Savery was able to work out of a bases-load jam with one out in the eighth inning after recording back-to-back strikeouts to end the threat. Right-handed reliever Paul Smyth (3-1, 2.84 ERA) earned his third win of the season with a perfect 10th frame.

51s right-handed starter Logan Verrett (6-3, 4.69 ERA) was knocked out of the game in the fourth inning after allowing five runs on 11 hits and two walks while striking out three in 3.2 innings of work. Taking the loss for Las Vegas was Zack Thornton (1-4, 4.33 ERA) who gave up one run on two hits and a walk over 1.2 innings of relief.

The River Cats and the 51s conclude their four-game series on K-LOVE Sunday Funday at Raley Field as Sacramento righty Arnold Leon (7-2, 4.78 ERA) squares up against Las Vegas lefty Darin Gorsky (2-1, 4.18 ERA) with first pitch scheduled for 5:05 p.m.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from June 29, 2014


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