Blackburn buckles Bees' knees in shutout win

West Sacramento, CA - A night after putting up 15 runs, the Sacramento River Cats (49-61) employed a different tactic in their 7-0 win Monday night: pitching. Starter Clayton Blackburn was phenomenal in just his second outing since coming off the disabled list, shutting down the Salt Lake Bees (49-57) while the River Cats offense used the long ball to do their part.

Blackburn was brilliant tonight in route to his first win since April 20, going seven scoreless innings while allowing just three hits. Coming into tonight, the right-hander was 0-1 in three starts against the Bees this season with a 7.30 ERA. Tonight however, the 23-year-old buzzed through the Bees lineup, throwing a season-high 105 pitches (65 strikes) and retiring the last nine hitters he faced.

Along with his three hits surrendered, Blackburn allowed one free pass while striking out five in his tenth start at Raley Field this season. He buckled down in key situations as well, holding Salt Lake to 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position.

The bullpen took care of the rest, headlined by San Francisco Giants reliever Cory Gearrin who went one inning and gave up one hit in his second rehab appearance for Sacramento this season. Left-hander Steven Okert locked down the ninth to preserve the River Cats seventh shutout win of the season and fourth in West Sacramento.

Despite registering just three hits in the first four innings, Sacramento started their slugging in the fifth courtesy of left fielder Chris Denorfia's solo home run, his second in as many games. Shortstop Kelby Tomlinson drove in the second run of the inning, driving in his partner up the middle, second baseman Ali Castillo. Tomlinson finished the night 2-for-4 and has now extended his hitting streak to a team-high 12 games this season.

The River Cats pushed five more runs across the rest of the way in large part to another big game from the wily veteran Travis Ishikawa. The first baseman went yard twice tonight, his sixth and seventh of the year, and finished the game with his second consecutive five-RBI game.

The win tonight brought Sacramento's record to 4-11 against Salt Lake this season, and in those four wins the River Cats have outscored the Bees 52-8.

Sacramento will send right-hander Chris Stratton (7-5, 5.05) to the hill as they search for their eighth series win this season and first against Salt Lake this season. On the hill for Salt Lake will be lefty Nate Smith (7-4, 4.49). First pitch is set for 12:05 p.m. (PT) and can be heard live online at rivercats.com.

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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 2016 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.