River Cats

Changes around Raley Field improve traffic flow

2011-07-21T21:19:06Z

Raley Field patrons will notice traffic flow improvements around the ballpark as the River Cats return to Sacramento for a four-game homestand beginning Friday, July 22, against the Reno Aces (Triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks).

Tower Bridge Gateway, which has been closed since the beginning of the season, is now completely open for both east and west bound traffic to and from the Tower Bridge. Fans using this route are encouraged to park in Lots G and H and take the pedestrian walkway on 5th Street. On all remaining Saturday games, and for the Sugarland concert on August 25, Lots R1 and R2 are also open for easy access to the ballpark via the 5th Street pedestrian walkway.

Additionally 3rd Street is now accessible to Tower Bridge Gateway traffic in both directions.

Fans should also note Lot B2 will continue to allow for both entry and exit and Lot B1, B3, C1, C2, D1 and D2 can be accessed from Riske Lane.

Disclosure: Nick Lozito works in the Sacramento River Cats Media Relations Department.

River Cats Notes: Fresno comes to Raley Field

2011-07-15T00:17:55Z

Moscoso on the mound: River Cats pitcher Guillermo Moscoso returns to the mound for Sacramento tonight to face the Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. In eight starts and 10 appearances with Oakland this season, Moscosco posted a record of 3-4 with an ERA of 2.16. With Sacramento, Moscoso is 3-2 with an ERA of 4.02. He has started against the Grizzlies just once before in his career (August 9, 2009), where he shut them down. The right-hander pitched 6.1 innings, and allowed just one earned run and struck out three.

Double time: The River Cats won both games of a doubleheader against the division rival Las Vegas 51s on Saturday. The River Cats combined for 18 runs, while Las Vegas put up 12 runs. The two wins furthers the River Cats lead in the PCL South Division and put them back up to 8.0 games ahead of the 51s. Sacramento also had a doubleheader at Reno in May, which was split.

Power twins: Outfielders Jai Miller and Matt Carson swing for power. In the Saturday doubleheader, Miller tacked another run onto his team-leading 21 homers, while Carson added two doubles to his team high 28. Miller’s 21st home run puts him in a tie for third in the PCL his .670 slugging percentage ranks fourth. Carson’s 28 doubles are fifth highest in the PCL and he is fifth in extra base hits (45). Miller leads the Cats with 58 RBIs, and Carson’s 54 are second on the team. Miller also leads the River Cats with three triples. In the last five games, Carson is batting .333 with two homers, and Miller is batting .500 in his past five games with five homers.

All-Star game recap: River Cats relief pitcher Willie Eyre, catcher Anthony Recker and shortstop Eric Sogard all represented Sacramento at the 2011 Triple-A All-Star Game held July 13 at Spring Mobile Ballpark in Salt Lake City, Utah. Sogard went 0-for-2 with a strikeout, Recker went 0-for-2 and started in the ninth position in the lineup. Eyre closed out the game and struck out the only batter he faced. The International League shut out the Pacific Coast League to win 3-0.

Grizzlies back in town: After being swept by the Fresno Grizzlies (the Triple-A affiliate of the World Champion San Francisco Giants) in Fresno from July 1-3, the River Cats seek revenge this weekend. The Grizzlies are in last place in the PCL South Division and 15.5 games behind the River Cats. Sacramento leads the season series 5-2, as the teams split four games in Fresno from June 17-20.

Hitting streaks: Five River Cats hitters are riding hitting streaks going into the series against the Fresno Grizzlies. After having three hits in each game of the doubleheader against Las Vegas on Saturday, shortstop Eric Sogard is riding a six-game hitting streak. In five games, he is hitting .615 with six RBIs. Outfielder Kevin Kouzmanoff, who hit three doubles in the first game of the doubleheader, is riding a five-game hitting streak and batting .526 over the past five games. Catcher Anthony Recker is on a five-game hitting streak and batting .500 with two RBIs in that span. Outfielders Matt Carson and Jai Miller each have a hitting streak – Carson with five and Miller with four. Miller is batting .500 over five with five homers and Carson is batting .333 with two homers.

Break’s over: Heading into the All-Star break this season, the River Cats posted a 54-36 record, and held an 8.0-game lead over the second place Las Vegas 51s. The Cats have won 11 series this season and have only lost five. With less than half the season remaining, the River Cats are on the prowl for postseason. Sacramento is second in the PCL in pitching, with a team ERA of 4.36, right behind the Memphis Redbirds with a 3.86 ERA.

Thirsty for wins: The River Cats have a winning record (10-4) on Thursday games, and have posted a 5-3 record at home during Miller Lite Thirsty Thursdays.

Disclosure: Cassie Kolias and Nicholas Lozito both work in the sacramento River Cats Media Relations Department.

Rival Fresno, Reno visit Raley Field this month

2011-07-12T21:32:34Z

Rivalries form in many ways.

Many times it's a regional battle. Other times there is bad blood between teams and tensions run high. With the River Cats, all those factors come into play against the Fresno Grizzlies and Reno Aces.

The Grizzlies visit Sacramento from July 14-17, while the Aces come to town July 22-25.

Fresno, the River Cats' South Division rivals and Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, seeks revenge in the Highway 99 Showdown. While Sacramento has won nine division titles since 2000, Fresno is without a crown. The River Cats own a 110-73 all-time record against the Grizzlies. To top it off, last season the River Cats overcame a 12.5-game deficit to the Grizzlies and won the PCL South Division.

Fresno has done its best to sour Sacramento's playoff hopes this season, leading the season series 5-games-to-2.
Tensions might be higher in the Interstate 80 series against Reno, the River Cats' likely first-round playoff opponent should Sacramento win the division. Benches have cleared twice this season, and while no punches have been thrown it's clear that these two first-place teams don't see eye-to-eye.

The Aces have yet to make a postseason appearance since relocating from Tucson in 2009, and Reno Manager Brett Butler would like nothing better than to meet his rival River Cats in a September postseason matchup.

Sacramento has 14 games remaining against these rivals, including nine at Raley Field. With a playoff berth on the line, what better way to build two intense rivalries?

Disclosure: Nick Lozito works in the River Cats' Media Relations Department.

River Cats Homestand Preview (June 25-28, June 30-July 3)

2011-06-22T22:16:54Z

The River Cats will return home this Saturday to face the Reno Aces, who are managed by former Giants and Dodgers start Brett Butler. After a day off, Sacramento then welcomes the Tucson Padres to town for Independence day Weekend.

Here are notes entering the series.

Extra comfort: Sacramento improved to 4-0 in extra-innings games with a 4-3 win Tuesday night. Last season, the River Cats went 5-2 in extra-inning games, and in 2009 Sacramento was 15-4. This gives the River Cats an astonishing 24-6 record in extra innings over the last three seasons.

Dig Doug: In his first start with Sacramento, Doug Mathis looked strong Tuesday night against Tucson. The right-hander tossed 6.0 innings, allowing eight hits. He was charged with three earned runs while striking out two and earning the no-decision. Mathis walked one batter after walking 14 in his final three outings with Fresno before getting released by the Giants organization.

Masterful Marti: Yadel Marti, nicknamed “The Cuban Professor” by Radio Announcer Johnny Doskow, has pitched at least 5.0 innings in his last six outings. Tonight Marti will attempt to extend his win streak to four games. He has also won four of his last five starts. Marti leads the Pacific Coast League in winning percentage, winning 83.3-percent of his starts. He has a 3-1 record and 2.06 ERA at home, and a 2-0 record and 8.67 ERA on the road. However, in his last start (at Salt Lake on June 16), he allowed one run in 6.2 innings.

Roadies: Sacramento has not lost a road series all season, posting five road series wins and three splits. Sacramento has a 24-9 road record and a 23-17 home record. The River Cats have won nine of their last 10 road games, including a four-game sweep of Salt Lake in their previous road trip (June 13-16). The River Cats won the first game in Tucson 4-3 in 10 innings. Sacramento posted a 42-30 road record last season.

Taylor topples milestone: With his game-winning RBI in the top of the 10th inning Tuesday night at Tucson, Michael Taylor recorded his 100th RBI with the River Cats. Taylor is on the cusp of reaching another milestone with the Sacramento club – the next run he scores will also be his 100th in his River Cats career.

Bullpen bullies: The River Cats bullpen flexed its muscles again Tuesday night at Tucson, throwing 4.0 innings of shutout ball in the 10-inning win. Fautino De Los Santos, Trystan Magnuson, and Vinnie Chulk combined to allow only one hit and two walks while striking out five in the four innings. On the season, the Sacramento bullpen has posted a 2.96 ERA with a 291-to-114 strikeout to walk ratio. The bullpen has a 21-10 record.

Back in Tucson: Sacramento’s previous visit to Tucson came June 9-12, 2008, when the Sidewinders were affiliated with the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Sidewinders moved to Reno in 2009, and Tucson didn’t have a team until the San Diego Padres moved their affiliate from Portland to Tucson this season. The River Cats had a 73-71 all-time record against the Sidewinders, including a 32-40 record on the road.

Record pace: With a 47-26 record through 73 games, the River Cats are a game ahead of their franchise-best record at this point in the season. Sacramento had a 46-27 record through 73 games in 2009. Sacramento’s franchise-best record for a season is 92-52, set in 2003. Sacramento has won seven of its last nine games.

Hop on the Ban-Wagon: Travis Banwart came in relief of Rich Harden on Monday afternoon against the Fresno Grizzlies. He threw 6.0 innings, allowing only two hits, two runs, two walks while striking out 11, tying a franchise record for a reliever. Harden also had 11 strikeouts from the bullpen in 2003. The performance earned him the win and improved his record to 4-4 on the year with a 4.66 ERA.

Southern comfort: Sacramento has held the PCL Pacific South Division lead since April 23. Sacramento’s current 7.0-game lead is the largest lead the River Cats have had all season.

River Cats Media Relations Interns Max Lush, Mark Ling, Kyle Tucker, Mike Morris and Cassie Kolias contributed to this report.

Disclosure: Nick Lozito works in the Sacramento River Cats Media Relations Department.

Raley Field hosts Fin Fest: A tribute to Jimmy Buffett

2011-06-14T17:18:08Z

Parrotheads and River Cats fans won’t want to miss a fun-filled night on Saturday, June 18, as the Cats take on the Fresno Grizzlies (Triple-A affiliate of the World Champion San Francisco Giants) at 7:05 p.m. and pay tribute to Jimmy Buffett with Fin Fest!

Buffett cover band Garratt Wilkin and the Parrotheads will liven up the afternoon (event is from 4:30-7 p.m.) while fans don Hawaiian shirts and enjoy cheeseburgers and margaritas. Entry to the Block Party is free with a game ticket. Don’t forget to stay after the game to view the Sutter Health fireworks show.

Disclosure: Nick Lozito works in the Sacramento River Cats Media Relations Department.

Cats host Giants affiliate June 17-20, July 14-17

2011-06-10T22:55:57Z

The Fresno Grizzlies, Triple-A affiliate of the Word Series Champion San Francisco Giants, will visit Raley Field eight times to take on the reigning South Division champion Sacramento River Cats.

The Grizzlies, who finished in second place behind the River Cats last season, will play at Raley Field on June 17-20 and July 14-17. Last season, the River Cats sold out three of the eight home games against Fresno, and five of the eight games saw at least 10,000 fans.

Both 2011 home series feature Friday and Saturday night games. The two PCL rivals will also play eight games in Fresno (July 4-6 and August 24-28).

Several key players in the Giants' World Series run - including catcher Buster Posey and starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner - also played on the Grizzlies' 2010 roster.

The Grizzlies and River Cats faced off in a drama-filled playoff race in 2010, with the River Cats overcoming a 12.5-game deficit to win the division. Sacramento took four of five games in a key late August series at Raley Field to surge ahead in the standings for the final time.

Former River Cats Santiago Casilla and Barry Zito represented the Giants in their 2010 World Series run.

Disclosure: Nick Lozito works for the Sacramento River Cats Media Relations Department.

Improvements near ballpark ease traffic, parking

2011-05-16T21:51:01Z

Raley Field patrons will notice some exciting improvements around the ballpark as the River Cats return to Sacramento for an eight-game homestand beginning Thursday, May 19.

Tower Bridge Gateway, which has been closed since the beginning of the season, is now opened for both east and west bound traffic with a slight detour, on what used to be 3rd street, to access the Tower Bridge. This will allow for easier access to the ballpark.

Fans using this route are encouraged to park in Lots G and H and take the new pedestrian walkway on 5th street. On all remaining Saturday games and on Sunday, July 3, Lots R1 and R2 are open for easy access to the ballpark via the 5th Street pedestrian walkway.

Additionally, Lot B2 will now allow for both entry and exit and fans can still access Lot B1 and Lots B3, C1 and C2 and D1 and D2 off Riske Lane.

Disclosure: Nicholas Lozito is a Media Relations member of the Sacramento River Cats

River Cats' Banwart earns PCL Pitcher of Week

2011-05-16T21:48:59Z

River Cats starting pitcher Travis Banwart was named the Pacific Coast League (PCL) Pitcher of the Week for the week of May 9-15, League officials announced Monday. This is the first Pitcher of the Week award for a River Cats player this season. Earlier this season, River Cats outfielder Jai Miller won the Player of the Week award for his efforts April 18-24.

Banwart made two starts during the week, finishing 1-0 with a 0.68 ERA over 13.2 innings pitched. On Monday, May 9, Banwart allowed three hits and struck out seven batters through 7.0 scoreless innings as the River Cats shut out the Colorado Springs Sky Sox 9-0. He followed that performance throwing 5.0 scoreless innings against the Nashville Sounds on May 14 before giving up one earned run in the sixth. Banwart left the game throwing 6.2 innings and striking out six batters in the process as the Cats won 3-2. Overall this season, Banwart is 1-2 with a 2.93 ERA.

The 25-year-old right-hander is a native of Wichita, Kansas, and is in his 5th professional season and his third with the River Cats. Banwart was selected by Oakland in the 4th round of the 2007 First-Year Player Draft.

Disclosure: Nicholas Lozito is a Media Relations member of the Sacramento River Cats

River Cats' Miller wins PCL Player of the Week

2011-04-26T17:08:26Z

Sacramento River Cats center fielder Jai Miller was named the Pacific Coast League (PCL) Player of the Week for the week of April 18-24, League officials announced Monday. This marks the first time a River Cats player has won the weekly award this season.

The 26-year-old drove in four home runs through six games as the River Cats went 4-2. Miller totaled four multi-hit games for the week, while knocking in eight runs. In the series against Reno, Miller tallied three doubles, four home runs, seven runs scored and eight RBI, finishing 10-for-17 (.588) against the Aces. Miller currently leads the PCL in slugging percentage (.826) and ranks ninth in batting average (.391). He leads the Cats in home runs (5) and RBI (16).

Miller, from Selma, Alabama, is in his ninth professional season and his second stint with the River Cats. To begin the 2010 season he was claimed off waivers by Oakland and played 10 games with the River Cats before being claimed off waivers by the Royals less than a month later. At the conclusion of the 2010 season, Miller elected free agency and signed a minor league contract with Oakland this past offseason.

Disclosure: Nick Lozito is the Media Relations and Interactive Media Coordinator for the River Cats

River Cats launch first-of-its kind iPhone app

2011-01-27T23:20:53Z

The Sacramento River Cats have launched the official River Cats iPhone application. The River Cats are the first Minor League Baseball Team in the country to release an iPhone application that allows fans the ability to purchase tickets directly through the app. The app was developed in partnership with Critical Technologies Group and is available for free for all Apple mobile products including iPhone, iPad, iTouch, etc via the iPhone App Store.

In addition to purchasing tickets from the application, other features include:

- Live game pitch-by-pitch and in-game updates
- A social media hub with direct Facebook, Twitter and Foursquare feeds
- The season schedule integrated with Art of Baseball pictures drawn by students from around the Sacramento community
- Promotion and giveaway listings
- River Cats news and standings
- Special offer notifications

An Android version of the River Cats app will be available in early 2011.

Disclosure: Nick Lozito is the Media Relations and Interactive Media Coordinator for the River Cats

Governor Bobblehead Election this Friday at Raley Field

2010-08-16T19:27:56Z

The race for Governor won’t be decided until November, but River Cats fans will have a chance to cast their votes early at the Bobblehead Election this Friday. Bobbleheads of Republican Meg Whitman and Democrat Jerry Brown will be handed out to the first 2,500 fans. The bobblehead that is given away first will be declared the winner of the River Cats Bobblehead Election.

Fans will also get the opportunity to watch democrats and republicans battle it out in a friendly, but competitive, precinct relay race and in other on-field promotions during the game. Sit on the left side if you are a democrat or the right if you are a republican to cheer on your team.

Republicans can order their discounted tickets at www.rivercats.com/republican, while Democrats can get theirs at www.rivercats.com/democrat.

Even in this dog-eat-dog world of politics you can still have fun with your favorite Cats at Raley Field.

Dinger celebrates 11th Birthday this Sunday at Raley Field

2010-07-10T01:02:27Z

Fans of all ages can celebrate the 11th birthday of Dinger, the Sacramento River Cats mascot, on Sunday, July 11, at Raley Field.

Dinger has invited all of his closest mascot friends to attend the party, including best friend Mr. Jelly Belly. Enjoy the mascot antics as they play Mascot Kickball at noon, then race, dance and sign autographs throughout the River Cats game! Dinger flied out to right field during last year's kickball game, but has been working on his leg strength this offseason.

Althought Dinge can't talk, he nodded several times when asked if he feels confident heading into Sunday's kickball game. Other mascots on hand will be the U.S. Bank Shield and Dinger's arch-nemisis, Archie from the Reno Aces.

All members of Dinger’s Kids Club will receive a goodie bag and cupcake provided by Jelly Belly. Also, as part of U.S. Bank Kids Sunday, River Cats players will be signing autographs pregame and children can run the bases postgame.

Rhythm and Ribs coming to Raley Field this weekend

2009-09-30T16:49:45Z

Presented by the CCPOA, this three-day event (Oct. 2-4) features six rib teams, an Interactive Kids Zone and live musical acts. The festival will also feature a Miller Lite Sports Tavern, featuring flat screen TVs with surround sound and a full bar. Participants can enjoy the taste of ribs by Joshua's Ribs, Smokehouse Specialties, West Sacramento Elk's Lodge, Addicted to Rub, River Cat Ribs, and My Brother's BBQ. Attendees get to vote for the best BBQ through the People's Choice Award. Click here for tickets ($5 per day).

Rhythm & Ribs Band Lineup

Friday, October 2nd
5:00 P.M. – Savannah Blue (A Southern Rock Revue)
6:30 P.M. – It's Only Rock & Roll (An Inside Glimpse At Rock Stardom)
8:00 P.M. – Livin' In The USA (A Cross-Country Music Trip)

Saturday, October 3rd
12:00 P.M. – Steelin' Dan (A Tribute to Steely Dan)
1:30 P.M. – Stung (A Tribute to the Police)
3:00 P.M. – Zoo Station (A Tribute to U2)
4:30 P.M. – The Rising (A Tribute to Bruce Springsteen)
6:00 P.M. – Tim Russ Band
8:00 P.M. – Peace Frog (A Tribute to The Doors)

Sunday, October 4th
12:00 P.M. – Joel : The Band (A Tribute to Billy Joel)
1:30 P.M. – Nuthin' Fancy (A Tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd)
3:00 P.M. – Caravanserai (A Tribute to Santana)

River Cats, Memphis square off for PCL title

2009-09-14T20:56:44Z

Three wins is all that separates the Sacramento River Cats from a third consecutive Pacific Coast League championship.

After toppling the Tacoma Rainiers in the playoffs’ first round, Sacramento will take on the Memphis Redbirds in the PCL Championship Series starting Tuesday night in Memphis. The River Cats are attempting to become the first team to win three consecutive PCL titles since Albuquerque did it from 1980-82.

Games 1 and 2 of the Championship Series will be played at Memphis (both 5:05 p.m. starts) before the series returns to Raley Field for games 3 (Friday, 7:05 p.m.), 4 (Saturday, 7:05 p.m., if necessary) and 5 (Sunday, 1:05 p.m., if necessary).

Right-hander Chris Gissell will start for Sacramento in Game 1. He will be followed by fellow right-handers Chad Reineke (Game 2), Jerome Williams (Game 3), Shawn Chacon (Game 4) and James Simmons (Game 5). Gissell, who was acquired as a free agent by Sacramento in late August after playing the majority of the season in Taiwan, also started Game 1 in Sacramento’s first-round series victory over the Tacoma Rainiers. In that start, Gissell allowed two runs and struck out six batters over 5.0 innings to earn the victory and set the tone for a 3-games-to-1 series win.

Sacramento slugger Chris Carter already has four home runs in these playoffs – one in each game of the Tacoma series – and one more Carter bomb will set a River cats record for most home runs in a single postseason.

Sacramento has never faced Memphis in the postseason, but holds a 30-18 all-time regular season record over the Redbirds. The River Cats went 3-1 against Memphis this season (August 14-17), with all four games being played in Memphis’ AutoZone Park .

The Championship Series marks the postseason return of River Cats slugger Brett Wallace to Memphis. Wallace was traded from Memphis (the St. Louis Cardinals’ Triple-A affiliate) to Sacramento (the Oakland A’s Triple-A affiliate) on July 25 in a deal that sent All-Star slugger Matt Holliday from Oakland to St. Louis. Wallace hit .467 with two homers in his regular season return to Memphis during a four-game road trip in August.

rivercats.com

Click here for playoff tickets and information

River Cats Return Home for Big Series

2009-06-10T03:58:41Z

After a quick four-game road trip against the Salt Lake Bees in which they won three of four, the Sacramento River Cats returned home for a crucial eight-game stand.

Sacramento first are currently taking on the Colorado Springs Sky Sox in a four-game series. The series featured the top two teams in the Pacific Coast League. The festivities kicked off Saturday night at Raley Field with Youth Baseball and Softball Night, and Boy Scout Night.

Things did not go the River Cats’ way to begin the series. Starter James Simmons struggled early. He gave up eight hits and seven runs in five innings of work. The River Cats have had a knack for late-game heroics in 2009. They tried to pull off another comeback Saturday, but lost 6-5. Sunday afternoon was Bark in the Ballpark, in which fans were allowed to bring their dogs to the game. Sacramento took Game 2 of the series 6-4. They scored all six of their runs in the first inning, and starter Dana Eveland had a great outing to improve to 3-0.

On Monday, the River Cats took the early lead but once again lost it in the final few innings. However, left fielder Larry Cobb hit an RBI single to center in the bottom of the ninth to win the game 3-2.

After a day off Wednesday, the River Cats return to Raley Field Thursday for the start of a four-game set with the Tacoma Rainiers. The festivities continue with a pre-game concert featuring Michael Sea and Island Fever.

Friday June 12 is All-City High School Awards Night. The River Cats will recognize the student athletes who were selected to the Sacramento River Cats All-City High School Sports Teams.

The homestand concludes June 13 with Green Awareness Weekend and Kids Day. The River Cats need to have a good homestand because the Fresno Grizzlies trail them by only three games in the Pacific South Division. Sacramento travels to Fresno to take on the Grizzlies in a critical three-game series of this young season beginning June 15.