River Cats Report 06/11/14

After a tough loss to open the month of June, the River Cats would look to get back on track on Monday. But, the Fresno Grizzlies didn’t let that happen, defeating the Cats 5-2. Pitcher Marcus Walden took the loss as he allowed all five runs. Jumping on the backs of Shane Peterson, who went 3 for 5 with a home run and three RBI, and Colin Walsh, who went 4 for 4 with two home runs, a double and three RBI, the Cats would split the four game set by closing out the series with a 7-5 W. Jeremy McBryde earned his third save of the season.

From there the Cats headed to Salt Lake to face the Bees, but despite 15 hits and a rally in the ninth, the Cats would fall 8-7 in the opener of the series. The Cats would once again fall to the Bees the next day, losing 3-1. Pitcher Matt Buschmann would take the loss allowing runs in each of the first three innings.

Hitting Performance of the Week: Colin Walsh went 4 for 4 with two home runs, a double, three runs scored and three RBI in Sacramento’s win on Tuesday.

The next day, Sacramento’s bats exploded for 20 hits and beat the Bees 13-4, scoring in seven of the nine innings. Every Cats player earned a hit in the thrashing, and all but one, had an RBI. Nick Buss led the way going 4 for 5 with three runs and two RBI. Arnold Leon earned his sixth win pitching five innings and allowing an earned run. The Cats wouldn’t celebrate long, however, losing the final game of the four-game set 7-6. Daric Barton went 4 for 5 with a home run.

Pitching Performance of the Week: Philip Humber pitched two scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out three as the Cats fell to the Bees 3-1.

Mar 18, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Oakland Athletics third baseman

(15) stretches before a game against the Chicago White Sox at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

Additionally, pitcher Fernando Nieve was released by the Athletics, off of the River Cats roster to make room for pitcher Justin Marks. Nieve had a 7.01 ERA and a 2.03 WHIP in 18 games. INF Jake Elmore returned from the 60-day DL on Sunday and went 2-2 before exiting for precautionary reasons in the eighth inning. Eric O’Flaherty is expected to join the team sometime this week to continue rehabbing.