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River Cats end skid with matinee victory

Bourjos and Shaw combine for go-ahead run in the seventh to take series finale
(Reid Thompson)
July 15, 2018

The Sacramento River Cats (40-54) salvaged the final game of their weekend series and snap their five-game losing streak with a 6-5 victory over the Salt Lake Bees (48-46).The River Cats came out swinging on Sunday, scoring three runs in the first inning thanks in part to a two-run single

The Sacramento River Cats (40-54) salvaged the final game of their weekend series and snap their five-game losing streak with a 6-5 victory over the Salt Lake Bees (48-46).
The River Cats came out swinging on Sunday, scoring three runs in the first inning thanks in part to a two-run single from third baseman Ryder Jones. Starter Chris Stratton blanked the Bees through the first two innings, but the Pacific Coast League's most potent offense got to him in the third and fourth to take a 5-3 lead. All told, Stratton finished his 2018 River Cats debut after allowing five runs on nine hits in five innings with four strikeouts.
Sacramento quickly evened things up at five with an RBI-single from Trevor Brown and a sacrifice fly by Orlando Calixte. Then in the seventh, following a leadoff triple from the newest River Cat Peter Bourjos, Chris Shaw drove in the go-ahead run with an RBI-single. The clutch hit broke the 5-5 tie, and would prove to be the winning run.
The bullpen was strong again on Sunday, as left-hander Manny Parra and right-hander Derek Law combined for four shutout innings to finish off the victory. Law earned his team-leading eighth save of the season.
The River Cats hit the road for a four-game series against the Fresno Grizzlies beginning on Monday and right-hander Jordan Johnson (0-2, 7.27) is set to take the mound. Fresno will counter with Rogelio Armenteros (7-0, 3.28). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. (PT). Catch all of the action live online at rivercats.com, on the MiLB First Pitch app, and on the air on Money 105.FM.
Additional Notes

  • Peter Bourjos went 2-for-4 with a triple and two runs scored on Sunday. In 2011, Bourjos racked up 11 triples to lead the American League, tied with former Giants outfielder Austin Jackson.
  • After holding the Bees scoreless over the final four innings, the River Cats' bullpen lowered their ERA to 4.65 this season.
  • Chris Stratton has now pitched for the River Cats in each of the last four seasons. Coming into Sunday, he had made 53 career appearances with Sacramento, compiling a 20-16 record with a 4.19 ERA.

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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 2018 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.