PCL1 Sacramento River Cats

Vegas Turns up the Heat, Roasts River Cats

Published on July 29, 2015 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Sacramento River Cats News Release


WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The official scorer announced a game time temperature of 102 degrees - a new season-high for Sacramento - but the Las Vegas 51s brought their own heat to Tuesday's series opener. The River Cats watched as Las Vegas jumped ahead 4-0 in the top of the first and were unable to do anything to slow the rolling 51s, falling 14-2 Tuesday night at Raley Field.

Tommy Hanson (0-4, 8.22) made his fifth start for the River Cats and immediately found himself in a hole. The 51s wasted no time in tagging the right-hander for four runs, taking advantage of three hits, three walks, a wild pitch, and an error. Hanson needed 37 pitches to get out of the inning and was helped by his infield, as third basemen Kevin Frandsen picked a hard-hit ground ball to start an inning-ending double play.

Las Vegas was far from done, however, and would get to the River Cats staff for 14 runs on 15 hits before the game was over. They also drew nine walks in the contest, tying the most allowed by the River Cats this season.

Sacramento's offense continued to struggle at home, further emphasizing the growing difference in the team's home/road splits. Coming off a decisive doubleheader sweep in which the River Cats scored 20 runs on 30 hits in 14 innings, they managed just 2 runs on 7 hits in Tuesday night's loss.

For the season, the River Cats are hitting an excellent .308 with 53 home runs and 284 runs scored on the road (51 games). At home, they are hitting just .238 with 35 homers and 180 runs scored (53 games).

Sacramento was unable to generate any significant offense against Las Vegas' right-hander Dillon Gee (5-1, 5.44), who threw a complete game for the 51s. Gee needed 99 pitches (69 strikes) in the outing, and allowed two runs on seven hits while striking out five and walking one.

Juan Perez found success against the 51s' right-hander, going 2-for-4 with his 22nd double of the season. He also scored Sacramento's second run on a Frandsen groundout in the seventh inning. The first Sacramento run came in the third inning when Frandsen scored on Kelby Tomlinson's infield single. It was Tomlinson's 11th RBI with the River Cats.

Sacramento will look to bounce back tomorrow night behind their young right-hander Clayton Blackburn (5-3, 3.84). Blackburn, the third River Cats pitcher to reach five wins this season, has won his last two straight starts. Opposing him will be Las Vegas' righty Tyler Pill (2-6, 7.60). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. and the game can be heard live online at rivercats.com and on the air on ESPN 1320.

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The Sacramento River Cats are the Triple-A affiliate of the 2014 World Champion San Francisco Giants. The team plays at Raley Field in West Sacramento, consistently voted one of the top ballparks in America. River Cats Season Tickets, Mini-Plans, and Flex Plans can be purchased for the 2015 season by calling the River Cats Ticket Hotline at (916) 371-HITS (4487). For more information about the River Cats, visit www.rivercats.com. For information on other events at Raley Field, visit www.raleyfield.com.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from July 29, 2015


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