Blach brilliant, ties franchise-high with 14th win
Fresno, CA - The Sacramento River Cats (64-70) sent their ace Ty Blach to the hill Friday night looking for their second straight win over the Fresno Grizzlies (68-65). The left-hander did more than just earn his 14th win of the year, he tied the franchise-high en route to leading the River Cats to their second straight win over the Grizzlies 3-0.
Blach started out looking a little shaky tonight, allowing a walk and committing an error in the first inning, uncharacteristic for the 2015 Rawlings Gold Glove Award winner. He was able to pitch out of the inning unscathed however and again in the second, leaving Fresno runners stranded at first and third in both frames. From then on, the Pacific Coast League leader in wins (14) and innings pitched (166.2) proved why he's deserving of a September call-up, going seven shutout innings.
The left-hander began to find his grove from then on, setting the Grizzlies hitters down in order in three of his next five innings. The 25-year-old was particularly impressive in the sixth and seventh innings, as he threw just 12 pitches to record his final six outs and retired the last 10 hitters he faced in order. Of his three total hits allowed, just one went for extra bases and didn't allow a flyout until the sixth inning.
The No.23 prospect in the San Francisco Giants organization according to MLB.com, Blach finished the night with nine strikeouts, four of which were looking. He threw first pitch strikes to an astonishing 22 of the 25 batters he faced and left four total Fresno runners on base. The southpaw threw a total of 87 pitches, 62 of which went for strikes and did not allow a run for the fifth start this season. Despite now being six games under .500, in games when Blach is on the hill, the River Cats are 17-6.
Fellow left-handers Josh Osich and Steven Okert combined to preserve the shutout the rest of the way with both pitchers allowing one hit while also striking out one. Osich has now registered five consecutive scoreless appearances for Sacramento after giving up a run in his first outing.
Right-fielder Ryan Lollis and shortstop Ruben Tejada both finished the night 3-for-4 with an RBI tonight, both coming with two outs. Despite racking up 10 hits, the River Cats offense only managed three runs and went 2-for-13 with runners in scoring position and left nine men on base.
The River Cats will look to make it three-straight wins over the Grizzlies as they send right-hander Albert Suarez (4-3, 4.34) to the hill. Fresno will counter with left-hander Evan Grillis (0-1, 5.40) who will be making his first start against Sacramento this season. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. (PT) and the game can be heard live online at rivercats.com and on the air 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 upcoming 2017 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.