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Cats Win Third Straight Against Sky Sox, 6-1

May 4, 2012
West Sacramento, Calif. - Collin Cowgill hit 3-of-4 with two doubles, driving in two runs for the second game in a row and leading the River Cats to their third consecutive home win on Thursday night at Raley Field.

The Cats made use of extra-base hits from the start when Jermaine Mitchell led off the game with a triple, followed by back-to-back run-scoring doubles from Cowgill and Chris Carter. Cowgill's second RBI double was part of a two-run, three-hit fifth inning.

Colorado Springs went to its bullpen after just four innings. Four of Sacramento's first seven hits were doubles, scoring four runs in the first five innings. The River Cats continue to lead the Pacific Coast League in fewest runs allowed (106).

Starting pitcher Bruce Billings worked seven shutout innings, allowing five hits, while striking out six and walking just one. His ERA dropped to 3.05 in his longest outing of the season. Fautino De Los Santos worked a scoreless eighth and Merkin Valdez finished strong, fanning two after giving up one run on three hits in the ninth.

Sky Sox starter Brandon Hynick struggled early on, giving up two doubles and a triple in the first inning. His night ended with four earned runs on six hits through 4.1 innings pitched. Three relievers combined to pitch the final four innings. Zach Putnam was tagged for two earned runs on two hits in the eighth.

Josh Donaldson went 2-for-3, extending his hitting streak to six games, and is now hitting .500 with Sacramento.

After a four-game road trip through Tucson, the River Cats return to Raley Field on May 8, for a Kids Eat Free Tuesday, presented by California Family Fitness. The contest is set for 7:05 p.m., and will kick off an eight-game home stand against the Omaha Storm Chasers and Iowa Cubs.

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2012 River Cats Season Tickets, Mini-Plans, Flex Plans and group outings can be purchased by calling the River Cats Ticket Hotline at (916) 371-HITS (4487). Individual game tickets, starting at $8, are available online at ticketmaster.com and at Raley Field's Round Table Pizza Ticket Office. For more information about the 2012 River Cats season, visit www.rivercats.com. For information on other events at Raley Field, visit www.raleyfield.com.

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