River Cats Report 06/26/14
By Nick Avila
After prevailing in their final game against the Iowa Cubs, the River Cats headed to Round Rock for a four game series against the Express. Sacramento would face a couple familiar faces in Adam Rosales and Carlos Pena. The River Cats dropped the first game of the set 7-5 despite a solid effort from the bats, especially Shane Peterson‘s two hits and HR. Philip Humber would take the loss for the team.
The next day, the Cats would draw even in the series, winning 3-0. Josh Reddick made his first rehab appearance with the team, going 1 for 3. Arnold Leon earned his seventh win of the year after going six innings and only allowing two hits. Leon’s inconsistency has been a cause for concern this season, and despite his 7-2 record, he holds a 4.91 ERA.
In the third game of the series, the Express would move straight through the Cats, winning 7-1. Sac started the game with a run in the first but didn’t muster up much of anything after. Reddick would go 1 for 3 again in his second rehab appearance. J.P. Arencibia led the way for the Express with a HR and three RBI.
May 30, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics right fielder Josh Reddick (16) hits a single against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
15 hits the next day would power the River Cats to a series split with a 7-5 victory. Everyone on the team, but Nick Buss, would earn at least a hit in the game. Peterson and Jose Martinez both went 3 for 5 in the onslaught of bats. Pitcher Josh Lindblom got his fourth win and Jeremy McBryde closed it out for his sixth save of the season.
Hitting Performance of the Week: Josh Reddick went 4 for 5 with two doubles in a loss against the Zephyrs.
The River Cats then moved on to Louisiana as they faced the New Orleans Zephyrs and despite a strong effort from Josh Reddick, the Cats fell 4-1 in the opener. The next day, the Cats would go down 2-0 before scoring one in the eighth and three in the ninth to take a 4-3 win on the Zephyrs. Martinez led the way going 3 for 4. Eric O’Flaherty, still rehabbing for the Cats, would start the game and pitch two shutout innings. Zach Neal then replaced him and pitched five solid, allowing two runs before Humber would replace him and get the W.
Pitching Performance of the Week: Arnold Leon had 6 IP, allowing 2 H, 0 BB and 2 Ks, earning the W as the Cats would pitch a two-hit shutout against Round Rock.
Additionally, Eric O’Flaherty continued his rehab with some successful appearances. Anthony Aliotti re-joined the team from the Midland Rockhounds after he earned a Texas League All Star bid and Evan Scribner was optioned to the River Cats when the A’s picked up pitcher Brad Mills. Pitcher Dan Straily, who is trying to work his way back to Oakland hasn’t had his best stuff as of late, allowing seven runs in 5 2/3 in his latest appearance.