Blackburn flashes ace potential as River Cats ground 51s

WEST SACRAMENTO, CA - The River Cats captured their first series of the season, taking game four against the Las Vegas 51s 3-1 Friday night. Clayton Blackburn flashed ace-like stuff in a dominant performance. The young right-hander was backed by three River Cats home runs, including two from Mac Williamson in his first game back with Sacramento.

Blackburn entered tonight's contest with an excellent, albeit brief, history against the Las Vegas 51s. 2016 looks to bring more of the same, as Blackburn pitched an absolute beauty in his first start against the 51s this season. He needed just 95 pitches to capture 25 outs, throwing 65 (68%) for strikes.

Clayton retired the side in order five times in the outing and induced 11 ground ball outs, mixing locations, throwing consistent strikes, and keeping the 51s off-balance all night. Overall, he allowed just one run on five hits and two walks while striking out two. Over the last two seasons, Blackburn is 3-0 against the 51s in five games (four starts) with a 1.01 ERA and a 17:4 K:BB ratio in 26 2/3 innings.

It was a big outing not just for Blackburn, but for the River Cats staff as a whole, as it gave the bullpen a much needed night off. Entering tonight's game, the River Cats 'pen had logged 59 2/3 innings, just 11 fewer than the starters. Austin Fleet took over for Blackburn with one away in the ninth and retired his two batters to secure his first save - and Sacramento's first save - of the 2016 season.

The River Cats backed Blackburn with solid defensive play and more than enough runs to give him his first win of the 2016 season. The bulk of the offense came from newly transferred Mac Williamson, who arrived earlier today from San Francisco after being optioned to Sacramento by the big club. In his first game back, Williamson was 2-for-4 with two massive home runs. Both traveled an estimated 418 feet and left the back at 107 and 109 miles per hour.

Mitch Delfino added his own solo shot in the sixth inning, the first of his Triple-A career. In his first season at the Triple-A level, Delfino has played an admirable third base while going 5-for-21 at the plate with three RBI in seven games.

With the win, the River Cats also secure their first series victory of the season, taking three of four games from the Las Vegas 51s. They'll now head back out on the road for an extended 13-day trip through Tacoma, Salt Lake City, and Albuquerque. Sacramento will get started tomorrow behind lefty Ty Blach (1-2, 6.75) while Tacoma counters with Joe Weiland (1-1, 11.32). First pitch is set for 5:05 p.m. and the game 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.