River Cats Recognized as Top Triple-A Organization
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Sacramento River Cats, proud Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, have been named the top Triple-A organization in Minor League Baseball (MiLB) as winner of the prestigious 2024 Bob Freitas Award by Baseball America. This is the second time that the River Cats have
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Sacramento River Cats, proud Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, have been named the top Triple-A organization in Minor League Baseball (MiLB) as winner of the prestigious 2024 Bob Freitas Award by Baseball America. This is the second time that the River Cats have earned the accolade, first receiving the distinction following the 2004 season.
Named after longtime MiLB ambassador Bob Freitas, the annual award is given to one team from each of the MiLB’s three classification levels (Triple-A, Double-A, and Single-A), recognizing the franchise’s overall excellence, community engagement, and long-term success as a business operation through marketing, on-field operation, and fan service.
“This award is a testament to the passion, dedication, and hard work of our entire team,” said Sacramento River Cats President and COO Chip Maxson. “Every member of our staff plays a vital role in creating unforgettable experiences for our fans and we are proud to share this honor with our community.”
Ahead of celebrating their 25th season, the team sold out the third exhibition game in the shared history between the River Cats and their parent affiliate, the San Francisco Giants. In addition, Sacramento sold their most new season tickets in a single year since their inaugural season in 2000. The team also sold out its newly renovated Diamond View Dugout and all remaining premium memberships reaching capacity for access to the Jackson Rancheria Casino Resort Legacy Club.
Including Sacramento’s best single-game turnstile since the 2019 season on Sept. 21, Sutter Health Park and the River Cats saw an 8.8 percent total increase in per-game turnstile. This feat was buoyed by a continued growth of new fans with over 40,000 “first known attendees” visiting this season, 4 percent more than in 2023, in addition to a 16 percent increase in group tickets sold.
Significant to those successes was the introduction of the Sutter Health Park Summer Pass, a ticket pack that included a lawn ticket to more than 40 home games from the end of May to early September. The Summer Pass sold over 500 packs in a three-week timeframe, outperforming the sales of all other MiLB products of its kind during the year. The Pass is slated for a return in 2025.
Also aiding in fan growth this season was an enhanced focus on producing special game takeovers, drawing audiences to honor their diverse communities including Hispanic Heritage Night, Pride Night, and a Juneteenth celebration. As a result of the DEI efforts, the Consulate General of Mexico recognized the organization for their outstanding work in enhancing visibility and representation.
Giveaways and fan engagement have also played a role for Sacramento, as the River Cats’ lead generation database, Fan Compass, grew by 36 percent to become the largest of its kind in MiLB.
The River Cats continued to establish their brand as a trusted marketing platform for regional companies looking to connect with fans, growing their portfolio of corporate partners by 24 percent, including new additions Poppy Bank and Jamba, among others.
Among numerous volunteer and community efforts were a pair of baseball clinics hosted by the River Cats including Baseball for All at Independence Field, an opportunity for River Cats players and coaches to come together with children of all ages and abilities to play ball. The River Cats generated nearly $20,000 in donations in partnership with River Cats sponsors to charitable organizations including Sacramento Food Bank, Sutter Gould Medical, Courage House, and Foundation Diabetes Program.
The 2024 season is the second time that the River Cats have been Bob Freitas Award recipients, first achieving the honor during their fifth season in Sacramento exactly 20 years ago following the 2004 campaign, making the organization one of only eight multi-time winners. Sacramento is the second consecutive Pacific Coast League team and seventh in the past eight seasons (excluding 2020) to earn the award, following in the footsteps of the Albuquerque Isotopes who captured the honor for a Triple-A leading third time in 2023.
To celebrate the award, the River Cats have partnered with Drake’s Brewing Co, to produce a River Cats Celebration Ale. The limited-edition beer will be available exclusively at Drake’s: The Barn located across from Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento.
Sacramento kicks off its season at home with Opening Night on Friday, March 28 against the Albuquerque Isotopes at 6:45 p.m. (PT). Tickets to the home opener and the entire first half of the season through July 3 are now available. Individual tickets and the full schedule are available online at rivercats.com, while memberships, select ticket packs, and hospitality rentals are available by calling the River Cats ticket hotline at (916) 371-HITS (4487).
Cats Stumble Late Against Chihuahuas
EL PASO, Texas – After extending their lead by scoring twice in the top of the seventh inning the Sacramento River Cats looked to be on their way to victory, but a pair of two-out home runs for the El Paso Chihuahuas helped steal a game from Sacramento on Wednesday,
Sacramento Silenced by El Paso in Series Opener
EL PASO, Texas – The bats for the Sacramento River Cats could not find a timely hit on Tuesday, stranding the bases loaded twice as they wound up on the wrong side of a 3-0 shutout by the El Paso Chihuahuas in their series opener. Each of the first 10
Whisenhunt Carves Way to PCL Pitcher of the Week Honor
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Left-hander Carson Whisenhunt shut down the Salt Lake Bees in his only appearance last week, matching his season best in strikeouts with nine over six clean frames to be named the PCL Pitcher of the Week for April 15-20. The East Carolina product was in a
Cats Drop Finale, Split Series with Bees
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Three straight run-scoring innings proved to be the difference between the Sacramento River Cats and the Salt Lake Bees on Sunday, as the Bees tallied one run each in the third through fifth innings en route to a 5-2 win over Sacramento in the series finale.
Three-Run First Sends Sacramento to 5-0 Win
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – A three-run first for the Sacramento River Cats put them well on the way to victory on Saturday night against the Salt Lake Bees, using the early momentum from the bats to cruise to a 5-0 shutout of Salt Lake in game five of the series.
Sacramento Snaps Slump, Slugs Bees 11-8
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Sacramento River Cats snapped their offensive slump in a big way on Friday evening, producing four-straight multi-run frames that culminated in a grand slam to help Sacramento sting the Salt Lake Bees by an 11-8 final. It was the Bees (9-10) that started the scoring,
Cats Avoid Shutout but Fall 5-1
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – For a second straight game the Sacramento River Cats were staring down a shutout heading into the ninth inning, and though they managed to scrape together a run, the Salt Lake Bees captured game three of the series by a 5-1 final. Despite being saddled with
River Cats Stymied by Bees, 4-1
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Four of the game’s five runs were scored during the final two innings, but unfortunately the majority went against the Sacramento River Cats as the Salt Lake Bees scored once early and added insurance late for a 4-1 at Sutter Health Park on Wednesday. Though two
Cats’ Comeback Falls Short, Walked Off by Rainiers
TACOMA, Wash. – Trailing 7-1 entering the final third of the contest, the Sacramento River Cats nearly pulled off a late-game comeback that saw a clutch two-out three-run homer from Marco Luciano, but the Tacoma Rainiers homered on the first pitch in the ninth for a walk-off 10-9 victory over
Villar’s Drives in Three for Sacramento’s Fourth Straight Win
TACOMA, Wash. – David Villar provided all the offense needed for the Sacramento River Cats on Friday night, driving in three with a trio of hits for a 3-1 Sacramento victory over the Tacoma Rainiers. The first two innings came and went quickly, setting up the top of the third
Cats’ Bats Hot on Cold Night in Tacoma
TACOMA, Wash. – A rainy night in Tacoma, Wash. Could not stop the Sacramento River Cats’ bats from catching fire as Sacramento exploded for a season-high 17 runs on 17 hits en route to a 17-7 win over the Tacoma Rainiers. After starting eight minutes late due to rain that
Late Home Run Lifts Sacramento to 3-1 Victory
TACOMA, Wash. – Locked in a 1-1 game heading into the latter stages, the Sacramento River Cats found some late-game heroics from Osleivis Basabe when his two-run homer pushed Sacramento to a 3-1 win over the Tacoma Rainiers on Wednesday. Both squads scored once in the third inning, as the
Big Fourth Frame Enough for Sacramento Against Tacoma
TACOMA, Wash. – A six-run explosion in the fourth inning was all the offense needed by the Sacramento River Cats on Tuesday, as Sacramento eased its way to a 6-1 victory over the Tacoma Rainiers in their series opener. In a game that started just after 7 p.m. due to
Carson Seymour Tabbed PCL Pitcher of the Week
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – A dominant start for Carson Seymour has earned hardware from Minor League Baseball, as the Sacramento River Cats right-hander was named the Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week for April 1-6. Though he had just one outing, which came in game three of the series
River Cats Stay Close Until Late Against Aviators
LAS VEGAS – Twice in the early goings the Sacramento River Cats were able to knot the score with the Las Vegas Aviators, but in the end the Aviators put the game away with a six-run eighth to take the series finale by a score of 11-4 on Sunday. A
Wisely Homer Enough for Sacramento on Saturday
LAS VEGAS – A two-run blast from Brett Wisely in the top of the third was all the scoring needed by the Sacramento River Cats on Saturday, getting an early lift from the offense while the pitching did the rest of the work in a 2-0 shutout win over the
Early Cats Lead Slips Against Aviators
LAS VEGAS – Three straight runs helped the Sacramento River Cats build an early lead in game three of their series, but a pair of multi-run innings for the Las Vegas Aviators swung the game in favor of the home team by a 6-4 final on Friday. A Grant McCray
Cats Bunt Way to Extra-Innings Victory
LAS VEGAS – A two-run triple in the seventh erased the Sacramento River Cats’ lead on Thursday against the Las Vegas Aviators, but Sacramento persevered with a pair of runs in the 10th frame to win both its first road and extra-innings game by a 4-2 final. A well-timed stolen
Aviators Fly Over River Cats in Series Opener
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Six consecutive run-scoring innings, four of which were multi-run frames, were too much for the Sacramento River Cats to overcome as the Las Vegas Aviators controlled the series opener by a score of 14-2 on Tuesday. Pitching for the River Cats (2-2) had been stiff throughout
Brett Auerbach Named PCL Player of the Week
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Following an opening weekend in which he homered in both of the first two contests of the season, Sacramento River Cats infielder Brett Auerbach has been named the Pacific Coast League Player of the Week for March 28-30. For the series, Auerbach logged a hit in
Sacramento Denied Sweep as Albuquerque Takes Finale, 2-1
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – A Brett Auerbach RBI double in the home half of the first seemed to put the Sacramento River Cats on the way to a series sweep, but the Albuquerque Isotopes fought back with a run in the third and fifth innings to steal the finale by
River Cats Ride Pitching to 2-0 Start
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Strong pitching efforts have spurred the Sacramento River Cats to a 2-0 start, as on Saturday the Sacramento staff shut down the Albuquerque Isotopes offense for most of the night while the River Cats used timely hitting for a 5-1 win. There was only one blip
Sacramento Starts Strong, Shuts Out Albuquerque
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Much like they did in 2024, the Sacramento River Cats started the 2025 in shutout fashion as Sacramento put together a complete effort in taking down the Albuquerque Isotopes, 8-0. Though not an identical copy of last season, there were many similarities in the 2025 River
Cats Claw Back, Bite Giants 4-3 In Exhibition
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – While big brother took the lead early, little brother got the last laugh with four unanswered runs as the Sacramento River Cats took down the San Francisco Giants by a final of 4-3 on Sunday night. The Giants (0-1), serving as the home team while visiting
River Cats Announce Partnership with Advanced Building Maintenance
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Sacramento River Cats and Sutter Health Park have announced a new multi-year partnership with Advanced Building Maintenance to lead engineering and janitorial services for the team and Sutter Health Park. “We are pleased to be partnering with Advanced Building Maintenance as we embark on a