Taylor, Peterson Power Cats Past Sky Sox, 5-2

July 25, 2013 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Sacramento River Cats News Release

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. - River Cats outfielder Michael Taylor produced an early two-run home run in the bottom of the first, and Shane Peterson followed suit with a solo home run in the seventh in Sacramento's 5-2 win over the Colorado Springs Sky Sox at Raley Field on Wednesday night.

Despite the Sky Sox capitalizing in the first with one run, Jemile Weeks led off with a single to right-center in the bottom half, while Taylor knocked in two runs with a homer to left-center field, giving the River Cats a 3-1 lead.

The Sky Sox responded by scoring one more run in the second before Ryan Ortiz, Andy Parrino and Weeks racked up singles to load the bases for Daric Barton. The infielder drew a walk, giving Ortiz free range to walk home, allowing the River Cats to extend their lead by one. Late in the seventh, Peterson sealed the deal with a solo home run, closing out Sacramento's 5-2 victory.

River Cats starter Sonny Gray (9-5, 2.85 ERA) returned to the mound after making two appearances with Oakland, earning the win against Sky Sox right-hander Chris Volstad. Gray retired the last 11 batters he faced, allowed two runs on four hits in 5.0 innings of work, and is currently tied with Andrew Werner for second on the squad in wins behind Bruce Billings (10).

Taylor went 1-for-3 with two-RBI and a home run-giving him a team-leading 15 home runs on the season-while Peterson finished 1-for-3 with his seventh homer. The River Cats had 11 hits in all, while Hiro Nakajima ended his team-high 14-game hitting streak, going 0-for-4. In seven games since the all-star break, the River Cats have collected 66 runs.

Sky Sox outfielder and Sacramento State alum Tim Wheeler extended his hitting streak to 10 games, producing a 2-for-4 night. Volstad took the loss for the Sky Sox, giving up 10 hits, one home run and four earned runs in 5.1 innings, falling to 5-3 on the season.

The River Cats conclude their four-game series against the Sky Sox at Raley Field on Miller Lite Thirsty Thursday, when right-hander Bruce Billings (10-4, 4.52 ERA) will take on righty Collin McHugh (4-2, 2.94 ERA) at 7:05 p.m. during Country Night.

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