Slater sparks rally in River Cats series finale
Fresno, CA - After losing six of their first seven games against the Fresno Grizzlies (69-66) this season, the Sacramento River Cats (65-71) entered series play with vengeance on their mind. In their 8-6 comeback victory Sunday evening, the River Cats persevered despite leaning on their bullpen to start as the offense continued to roll this road trip.
Spot-starter Tyler Rogers made his first career Triple-A start for Sacramento tonight, setting Fresno down in order in the first but ran into trouble in the second. After giving up a leadoff double and a single one batter later, the right-hander served up a three-run home run to Grizzlies catcher Max Stassi, a Woodland, California-native. The home run was his first surrendered this year.
The River Cats offense responded in the third thanks centerfielder Austin Slater who has been the hottest-hitter in the Pacific Coast League this month. The right-hander launched a solo-shot to left field, putting Sacramento on the board and provided the spark the rest of the way, finishing the game 3-for-4. The 22nd ranked prospect in the San Francisco Giants organization according to MLB.com, Slater finished the nine-game road trip 18-for-37 (.486) with 10 runs, 16 RBI and seven home runs.
Rogers hit another rough patch in the fourth frame as the submariner gave up a leadoff double to Grizzlies second baseman Danny Worth for the second time. After back-to-back-to-back singles and two runs, Rogers was relieved in favor of left-hander Matt Reynolds who allowed one more of Rogers' runners to score, making it a 6-1 Fresno lead. The River Cats bullpen shut the door the rest of the way and the Sacramento bats followed in Slater's footsteps.
Designated hitter Juan Ciriaco made manager Jose Alguacil's decision to put him in the lineup pay off as he launched a two-run homer in the fifth to answer Fresno's frame, bringing the score 6-3. One inning later, the River Cats offense came roaring to life thanks to another two-run bomb, this time courtesy of the veteran catcher Miguel Olivo. After a Fresno pitching change, Ciriaco and first baseman Travis Ishikawa each reached on a base knock setting up second baseman Kelby Tomlinson, who took full advantage by singling them both home, making it 7-6.
The win tonight punctuated an offensive clinic put on by Sacramento this road trip as they won six of nine games and racked up 109 hits and 63 runs.
Sacramento will now head back to Raley Field for their final homestand of the 2016 season. Right-hander Chris Stratton (11-6, 4.27) will get the nod for game one against the Reno Aces. Stratton owns a 4-1 record and 2.12 ERA in five starts this month and will face Reno's right-hander Matt Koch (3-2, 3.57). 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.