Recker scores winning run, Cats take 2.0-game lead

The pressure was once again on Jermaine Mitchell as the Cats were tied 2-2 in the ninth inning. Mitchell, called up Saturday from Single-A, once again wasn't frozen by the pressure and walked on a wild pitch that scored Anthony Recker for a 3-2 River Cats win over the Las Vegas 51s.

The River Cats opened the scoring with a two-run fourth inning. Zach Jackson walked three consecutive River Cats to load the bases. Travis Buck scored on an Anthony Recker sacrifice fly and Mitchell doubled on a line drive to center that scored Taylor.

This was Mitchell's second hit in three games since being called up from Stockton. Mitchell earned his keep when he knocked in the go-ahead run in a River Cats come-from-behind win against Fresno on Sunday afternoon.

Las Vegas tacked on their first run in the sixth inning to make it a one-run game. The 51s added another run in the eighth inning to tie the score 2-2. Manny Mayorson advanced to second on a fielding error by right fielder Michael Taylor and a Jarrett Hoffpauir single scored Mayorson.

It only took two Cats at bat to pull out the winning run in the ninth inning. Recker's explosive triple, his second of the season, put Sacramento in good position with no outs. Mitchell walked on a wild pitch to score Recker for the win.

The 51s, who lead the league in slugging and on-base percentage, were limited to just four hits from the stellar Sacramento pitching staff. Travis Banwart started and pitched 7.0 innings for two hits and one run. Jon Hunton pitched 0.2 innings and allowed two hits and one run. The win went to Travis Blackley, who pitched the final 1.1 innings.

With the win, Sacramento pulls a comfortable 2.0 games ahead of the Fresno Grizzlies in the PCL South division. The River Cats' Magic Number is 5.