
Williamson powers River Cats to first win of 2018
Published on April 7, 2018 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Sacramento River Cats News Release
TACOMA, WA - After weather delayed the start of Opening Night, game two began on time and with a bang for Sacramento. Chris Shaw crushed a home run in the first inning, his first of the 2018 season. Mac Williamson and Kyle Jensen followed suit with back-to-back home runs in the fourth as the Sacramento River Cats (1-1) blew past the Tacoma Rainiers (1-1) to their first victory of 2018 by a score of 8-2.
Williamson had a big offensive night, hitting his first home run of the season in the fourth inning. In the fifth inning Williamson added two more RBI with a line drive single to center field, and finished three-for-four with three RBI. River Cats starter Casey Kelly pitched beautifully while allowing just three hits over four shutout innings while striking out five. The River Cats bullpen closed out the final five innings by allowing just one earned run and striking out four Tacoma Rainiers.
Tacoma starter Josh Smith threw four innings and tallied seven strikeouts, but allowed the three big hits on the night for the River Cats and took the loss.
Game three of this five-game series will feature right-hander Tyler Herb (0-0, No ERA), making his Triple-A debut, against Tacoma righty Rob Whalen (0-0, No ERA). First pitch is set for 5:05 p.m. (PT) and the game can be heard live online at rivercats.com and on the air on Money 105.5 FM.
Additional Notes
- Despite a double-digit strikeout total as a team for a second straight game, the River Cats piled up 12 hits, and five hitters had multi-hit games.
- Steven Duggar did not record a hit on Friday night but still contributed from the top of the lineup. He finished the night with two walks, two runs, a stolen base, and an RBI.
- The heart of the River Cats lineup came through in the clutch this evening, as Chris Shaw, Kyle Jensen, and Mac Williamson each had a pair of two-out RBI.
Pacific Coast League Stories from April 7, 2018
- New Extra Innings Rule Ignites Wild 6-5 Win - Oklahoma City Comets
- Dodgers Sink I-Cubs After 11 Runs Score in Extras - Iowa Cubs
- Brito Shines in Aces First Loss of the Season - Reno Aces
- Fresno explodes for 18 hits in 15-8 Reno romp - Fresno Grizzlies
- Sounds Drop Another in New Orleans - Nashville Sounds
- Red Hot Redbirds Sink Express 11-6 - Round Rock Express
- Redbirds Continue Season-Opening Offensive Surge with 11-6 Win - Memphis Redbirds
- Sky Sox Split Second Doubleheader Of Series In Omaha - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
- Saturday Night's Game Postponed in Tacoma - Sacramento River Cats
- Rainiers vs. River Cats Rescheduled for Sunday, April 8 DH - Tacoma Rainiers
- Reno Aces Game Notes vs. Fresno - Reno Aces
- Nashville Sounds Game Information: Nashville Sounds (1-1) at New Orleans Baby Cakes (1-1) - Nashville Sounds
- OKC Dodgers Game Notes - April 7, 2018 - Oklahoma City Comets
- Game Notes: Memphis Redbirds (2-0) at Round Rock Express (0-2) - Memphis Redbirds
- Taylor Clarke Dominates Fresno, Sets Triple-A Best - Reno Aces
- Williamson powers River Cats to first win of 2018 - Sacramento River Cats
- Early Woes Swamp Rainiers - Tacoma Rainiers
- Grizzlies crush three homers but fall short Friday in Reno - Fresno Grizzlies
- Isotopes Sink Bees Late - Salt Lake Bees
- Chihuahuas Tripped by Vegas - El Paso Chihuahuas
- Big Inning Dooms Express in 17-4 Loss to Redbirds - Round Rock Express
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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