Stratton outdueled in Sunday matinee

Sacramento River Cats (16-26) starter Chris Stratton took the mound Sunday afternoon at Raley Field looking to bounce back after a rough last outing. The former first-round pick did just that, throwing his first quality start of the year. Unfortunately, Nashville Sounds (20-20) starter Jharel Cotton was even better and the River Cats fell 4-0 Sunday.  

Stratton looked great all afternoon other than a brief hiccup in the third. With two outs in the inning, Stratton gave up a walk followed by back-to-back hits to give Nashville two runs. He settled in after that, allowing just one more run in the seventh frame before turning things over to the bullpen.
Nashville's Cotton outdueled Stratton though, shutting out the River Cats over seven innings. He walked one and struck out nine in the outing while Sacramento managed just three hits against him, one of them a double by Tim Federowicz.
Tomorrow's finale between the River Cats and Sounds will features Dan Slania (0-5, 8.65) against RHP Daniel Gossett (1-2, 4.31). 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 105.5 FM.
Postgame Notes
Stratton: Chris Stratton had his first quality start of the season…allowed three runs on seven hits and two walks over 6.1 innings…struck out five…threw 100 pitches (66 strikes) in the outing, the most by a River Cats starter this season.
Day Baseball: The River Cats are now 6-5 in day games this season, including 4-3 at home.
Quiet Bats: Sacramento managed fewer than four hits for the fifth time this season…were shutout for the fourth time this year, including the second in this series against Nashville. 
Gillaspie: Conor Gillaspie played six innings at first base and went 0-for-3 at the plate…is 2-for-10 in three games with Sacramento…has logged 13 innings at third base and six at first.
Hill: Aaron Hill went 1-for-3 while playing seven innings at second base…in two games with Sacramento, is 2-for-5…since starting his rehab with San Jose, is hitting .307 (4-for-13) in five games.
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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.