Kelly sets career high, racks up 11 strikeouts

Omaha, NE - Casey Kelly came out dealing for the Sacramento River Cats (47-64) in Friday night's game against the Omaha Storm Chasers (52-58), but despite his electric performance, the Sacramento offense went down quietly in a 4-1 loss.

Kelly struck out the side to open the game for the River Cats, sitting the Storm Chasers down in order before going on to strike out six of the first seven batters he faced. He struck out two more in the third before notching a strikeout in each of the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings, bringing his total to a career-high 11. He was undone by the home run tonight, giving up two - a two-run shot in the third and a solo home run in the fifth.
For the second straight night, the offense was unable to back their pitchers, managing just one run on seven hits. Ryan Lollis was responsible for the lone run, driving in Mac Williamson with an RBI-single in the fourth.
Roberto Gomez (3-6, 4.71) takes the mound for Sacramento tomorrow and will face Omaha's Eric Skoglund (4-5, 4.72). First pitch is set for 5:05 p.m. (PT) and the game can be heard live online at rivercats.com and on the air on ESPN 1320.
Postgame Notes
Kelly: Right-handed pitcher Casey Kelly struck out a career-high 11 hitters in tonight's loss…Kelly's previous high was nine strikeouts (4/11/2012 as a member of the Triple-A Tucson Padres against the Sacramento River Cats)…Kelly's 11 strikeouts are the most by a River Cats pitcher this season (previously 10, Jose Flores).
Shaw: Chris Shaw was 1-for-4 with a double tonight…with the first-inning double, Shaw extended his current hit streak to eight games…Shaw has four separate eight-game hit streaks since joining the River Cats on May 25…is hitting .333 (10-for-30) with three doubles, two home runs, five RBI, and four runs scored during this current streak.
In Relief: The Sacramento bullpen has a 2.85 ERA (11 ER, 34.2 IP) over their last 10 games.
Missing Offense: In the first two games of this series, the River Cats offense has managed two runs and 12 hits…are a combined 2-for-9 with runners in scoring position and have left 13 men on base in 18 innings.
Out in Omaha: The Sacramento River Cats are now 1-5 in their last five games in Omaha dating back to the 2015 season…in those five games, the River Cats have been outscored 30-11.
*
The Sacramento River Cats are the Triple-A affiliate of the three-time 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 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.