River Cats Report 07/10/14

The River Cats faced the Fresno Grizzlies after their series with Las Vegas. Aside from on the field, the kitties and the grizz have had some pretty heated exchanges on Twitter in the past (go ahead and check out their Twitter accounts – after you read this of course).

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But for on-field action, the Grizz took control early in the first game and were able to get the victory in the 11th inning. Newcomer Luis Exposito went 1 for 3 in the game. The second game, the Cats avenged their loss and earned a win by a score of 5-4, walking off in the ninth. Shane Peterson’s bat was on fire as he went 3 for 4 with two runs. Peterson also finished a home run shy of the cycle for the cats.

Feb 18, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Oakland Athletics pitcher Matt Buschmann (55) throws during a workout at Papago Park. Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

In the third game of the series, the River Cats were able to rally for a 15th inning walk off after the Grizz unevened the score in the top half of the inning. Exposito started the rally with a double, and then later Peterson tied it up and Daric Barton was the hero, getting a walk off double. In the series finale, however, the Cats weren’t able to get a run and were shut out. They went 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position and left eight runners on base.

Hitting Performance of the Week: Jake Elmore went 1 for 3 with four runs, three walks, and an RBI in a 14-7 victory.

The Cats then headed to Reno to face the Aces and after putting up a four-spot in the first inning, Sacramento was able to get a 6-4 road win, highlighted by a three-hit, three-RBI day from Andy Parrino. The Cats then lost the second game to a tune of a 12-4 shellacking and got ready for the rubber match.

Pitching Performance of the Week: Matt Buschmann pitched seven innings, giving up five hits, one run, and striking out seven while earning a no decision.

Sac came out with a vengeance and won 14-7 with each player earning a hit and eight of the nine Cats scoring runs.

Additionally, it was a busy week for the AAA club. Pitchers Seth Frankoff and Tucker Healy both made appearances for the Cats after being brought up from Midland. Frankoff has given up three runs in each of his first two appearances for the Cats and Healy has given up three runs in his four innings of work. Pitchers Jose Flores and  Deryk Hooker were sent to Midland as a result of the Healy and Frankoff joining Sac. Pitcher Austin House was also sent tot he Cats and has given up no runs in three innings. Pitcher Eric O’Flaherty joined the A’s after a long rehab stint with the Cats. Pitcher Jeff Francis was designated for assignment. While trading for Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel, the A’s sent Cats’ pitcher Dan Straily to the Cubs. Nick Buss was DFA’d, then outrighted to Sac. Tommy Milone was sent to the Cats from the A’s to allow Hammel and Samardzija spots on the Oakland roster. Colin Walsh joined Sacramento as well.