Perez and Coello Pace River Cats Past Aces

RENO, Nev. - The River Cats made it three wins in a row with the 6-5 victory against the Reno Aces on Tuesday evening at Aces Ballpark in Reno. Juan Perez led the way, going 3-4 with 4 RBI and Robert Coello picked up the win after working through early control problems.

Sacramento got on the board early after loading the bases with singles by Skyler Stromsmoe and Adam Duvall, and a walk to Jarrett Parker. Juan Perez then stepped up with one out and crushed a double into the left-centerfield gap, clearing the bases and giving the River Cats a 3-0 lead in the top of the first. The Aces quickly cut that lead to 3-1 on a Nick Evans RBI groundout in the bottom of the inning.

In the top of the 3rd inning, it was Perez again with an RBI double, this time chasing home Ryan Lollis to push the Sacramento lead back to three runs. The Aces continued to get on base against Coello, however, putting up a run in the bottom of the 3rd and two more in the 4th on a couple hits and some less than stellar River Cats defense.

With the game tied at four in the 5th inning, Parker followed a Lollis double and Duvall single with a sacrifice fly to center fielder Trayvon Robinson. Lollis came home on the play to give the River Cats the lead once again at 5-4. The score stayed right there until the 8th when John Bowker's RBI single gave the River Cats a much needed insurance run.

In the 9th, the Aces started to mount a comeback against Hunter Strickland, scoring a run on two hits and an error and putting the tying run on first base. However, Strickland then struck out Jamie Romak and Nick Evans back to back, hitting 98 mph with his fastball. Strickland then induced a weak groundball fielder's choice which ended the game and gave the River Cats the 6-5 win.

Juan Perez had a big night, going 3-4 with 4 RBI, 2 doubles, a run, and a stolen base. His average is now up to .240 on the year as he has hit safely in 17 of his last 20 games. The River Cats also got two hits each from Lollis, Duvall, and Bowker while Parker collected his team-leading 23rd RBI. In the win, reigning PCL Player of the Week Ronny Cedeno snapped his 9-game hitting streak, going 0-4 with a strikeout.

Coello was not especially sharp in this one, but battled to get the River Cats through the 6th inning with the lead. His command was lacking early but the veteran pitched a smart game and settled down in his final innings to keep the River Cats in the game. Considering it took place at the hitter-friendly Aces Ballpark, Coello's outing was certainly what the River Cats needed. He earned his team-leading 4th win (4-1) and now holds an ERA of 3.97 on the season.

With their third straight win, the River Cats extend their division lead to 2.5 games over the Fresno Grizzlies and Tacoma Rainiers after the Grizzlies fell to the El Paso Chihuahuas Tuesday night. Sacramento will go for the series win versus the Reno tomorrow afternoon. For the River Cats it will be Kevin Correia (0-1, 3.00) making his second start of the year at Triple-A, facing Reno's Vidal Nuno (2-2, 3.19). First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m.

***

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.