River Cats Report 05/26/14

A solid couple of weeks for the River Cats has gotten the team back on track and moving in the winning direction. This week was much of the same, with multiple dominating pitching performances and plenty of hitting from the Sacramento bats.

May 7, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Dan Straily (67) throws to the Seattle Mariners in the first inning of their baseball game at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports

It started with pitcher Dan Straily taking the mound for the first time since allowing five runs in a no decision, and the second time since he was sent down from Oakland. This time, Straily would dominate, pitching seven solid innings and striking out eight batters. The Cats would earn a tough 2-1 win over the El Paso Chihuahuas as Evan Scribner would earn his seventh save of the season.

On Tuesday, the River Cats wouldn’t be so lucky as they fell to the Chihuahuas 3-2. That, however would be the only time the Cats would fall this week. Wednesday, the Cats beat the Chihuahuas 4-1, with all runs coming a big second inning, led by Alden Carrithers and Shane Peterson, whom each earned two ribbys. On Thursday, the Cats defeated El Paso 10-8, with the highlight of the game coming in the second inning when the River Cats hit for the cycle, with singles from Carrithers and Nick Buss, Michael Taylor hitting a double, Tyler Ladendorf adding a triple and Jose Martinez pounding a two-run home run. Arnold Leon earned his fourth win of the year. The Cats boast the best home record in the Pacific Coast League, 21-7.

Friday the Cats headed to Las Vegas for a four game series against the 51’s who headed into the series with a 32-15 record. Sacramento took the lead with two runs in the eighth and won 6-5. Jeremy McBryde earned his second save in as many days and Cats kept cruising as Stephen Vogt led the way going 2 for 4 with a triple, a homer and four RBI. Saturday the Cats would keep on rolling, earning the 5-2 win after recording 13 hits. Every player from the Cats got on base in the victory. Taylor had a perfect day at the plate going 4 for 4 and Dan Straily went seven innings of shutout baseball and K’d seven, to earn his second consecutive win.

Hitting Performance of the Week: Stephen Vogt went 2 for 4 with a triple, a go-ahead two-run home run, two runs and four RBI in a 6-5 win on Friday.

A 16-hit Sunday powered the River Cats to a 10-1 win over the 51’s. Martinez and Daric Barton each went 3 for 5 for Sac and Josh Lindblom pitched a gem: 5 1/3 allowing one run, a solo bomb from Allan Dykstra, and striking out eight. Then, on Memorial Day Monday, the Cats once again had double-digit hits and won 9-6 to wrap up the sweep over Vegas. Sacramento outscored Las Vegas 30-13 and had 49 hits in the four game set.

Pitching Performance of the Week: Dan Straily with 7 IP, 3 H, 3 BB, 7 Ks and a W.

Additionally, Straily’s bounce-back performances have not only been a breath of fresh air for Sacramento, and Oakland, fans, but they’ve also earned him PCL Pitcher of the Week honors. With 14 IP, one earned run and 15 K’s this week, Dan is looking like the pitcher he had once shown himself to be. Also, Vogt has been hitting out of his mind, going 12 for 26 with a double, two triples, two HRs, 10 RBI, two BBs and a K. Vogt also has a scorching .409/.435/.705 slash in his last 10 games. Ladendorf is right behind Vogt, though, going 10 for 26 this past week.