Cats Can't Catch 'Birds in Series Opener

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Playing in front of their home crowd for the first time in 10 days, the River Cats homered in their seventh consecutive game as Coello cruised through the first five innings. The homer was Darren Ford's third of the week, but it wasn't enough as the River Cats dropped their series opener with the Memphis Redbirds 4-2.

The River Cats' offense got to work early, as with Ford on first and nobody out, Ehire Adrianza doubled down the left field line to push across the game's first run. Then with nobody on and one out in the 3rd, Ford recorded his second hit of the night as he crushed a towering homer to left, putting his club up 2-0. The home run was Ford's fourth on the season.

Robert Coello started the night off hot, retiring the first six and eventually 14 of the first 16 batters he faced Thursday night. In the sixth, Memphis finally got to him, striking for three runs on 3 hits and 1 error, ending Coello's night early. The River Cats turned one of the oddest doubles plays when right fielder Juan Perez lost the ball in the lights. Memphis' over-aggressive base running put two men near third base and allowed the River Cats to turn the double play.

In the eighth inning, the River Cats had a chance to tie the game with two outs and runners on the corners. Adam Duvall hit a fly ball into the right center field gap, but Memphis' right fielder Stephen Piscotty made a diving catch to end the inning. Sacramento went hitless with runners in scoring position, batting 0-for-5.

Memphis added an insurance run in the ninth, as with two out and two on, Duvall recorded his second error of the night, allowing a run to score.

Coello (5-2, 3.44) pitched 5.2 innings, allowing 3 runs (2 earned) on 5 hits while walking 2 and striking out 3. Even with the loss, Coello is still tied for the most wins in the Pacific Coast League. His counterpart, Tyler Lyons (3-1, 2.64), earned the win pitching a complete game allowing 2 runs (all earned) on 7 hits, striking out 12.

The River Cats bullpen limited the damage as Steven Okert, Hunter Strickland, and Cory Gearrin combined for 3.1 innings of relief, allowing just 1 run (unearned) on 2 hits, walking 2 and striking out 6.

The River Cats will look to even up the series tomorrow night behind right hander Kevin Correia (0-1, 4.38). Lefty Tim Cooney (3-2, 3.00) will take the mound for Memphis. The first 2,500 fans in attendance Friday will receive a free Giants World Series Championship T-Shirt. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. and can be heard 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.