River Cats split doubleheader in El Paso

The Sacramento River Cats (58-74) settled for a split in the weekend doubleheader with the El Paso Chihuahuas (66-67), as they fell 1-0 in game two after holding on for a 7-4 victory in game one.

In game one, Sacramento led from the very first batter as Steven Duggar hit a leadoff home run to put the River Cats up 1-0 in the first. Sacramento would jump out to a 7-0 lead after six innings before El Paso made it interesting late. Orlando Calixte added his 14^th home run, and Jae Hwang, Conor Gillaspie, and Tim Federowicz each pitched in with multi-hit games.
The back end of the doubleheader gave us a pitcher's duel as Roberto Gomez and Chris Huffman took a scoreless game into the fourth. The Chihuahuas broke through on an RBI-groundout by Nick Buss. That run would hold up for El Paso, as the River Cats managed just five hits and were 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position.
The River Cats will go for the series split tomorrow night as Sacramento right-hander Jose Flores (2-3, 2.97) will face off against El Paso righty Kyle Lloyd (1-4, 7.42). First pitch is set for 5:05 p.m. (PT) and the game can be heard live online at rivercats.com. The game will also air starting at 5 p.m. (PT) on the air on Money 105.5.
Postgame Notes
Kelly in Control: Casey Kelly was brilliant through the first six innings in game one of the doubleheader, allowing just four hits and a walk, while throwing 54 pitches (34 strikes)…things went south in the seventh, however, as the Chihuahuas jumped on Kelly for four runs on four hits, including two home runs…Kelly held on to pick up the win, and improves to 7-5 on the season.
Duggar Front and Center: Leading off and playing center field seems to suit Steven Duggar just fine…the young outfielder went 2-for-3 in game one with a lead-off home run, his first at Triple-A…has also done a phenomenal job patrolling center field defensively for Sacramento.
Gomez: Roberto Gomez took a tough-luck loss in game two of the twin bill, going five strong innings and allowing the only run of the ballgame...Gomez is now 1-3 with a 2.23 ERA (9 ER, 36.1 IP) in his last seven starts…as a starter this season, he is 1-4 with a 4.06 ERA (25 ER, 55.1 IP) in 12 games.
Pitchers Best Friend: The River Cats defense turned three double plays in the first game to back Casey Kelly, and another in the second game, bringing their season total to 143 double plays turned as a team.
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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 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.