Thursday evening the Sacramento River Cats had their first chance to strike back at the El Paso Chihuahuas, after being routed by the San Diego Padres AAA affiliate in a four-game sweep earlier this season in El Paso. Sacramento would do just that, strike first and win the first game of the series behind the staples that have paid off all season for the River Cats, pitching and middle of the line up production.

Robert Coello (3-1) started for Sacramento and was opposed by the 37 year old veteran Jason Lane (2-2). Coello was not very economical with his pitches on the evening, but he was effective. Throwing a season high 101 pitches, Coello would only give up four singles and allowed just earned runs before being replaced by Clay Rapada in the top of the 7th inning. The two runs El Paso earned in the second inning were the only runs they would get the whole game.

Once again the bullpen for Sacramento proved trustworthy as they held the Chihuahuas scoreless in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings. Rapada gave up a double to right field in the seventh inning to Cody Decker. The hard throwing right hander, Michael Broadway, replaced Rapada in the eighth inning. Broadway walked the first batter he faced then struck out the next four extending into the ninth. Broadway received his second save of the season and Jason Lane recorded his second loss.

Jason Lane the long time outfielder for the Astros and Padres organizations has converted to a pitcher to resurrect and extend his career. Although Lane had a strong start he would run into the buzz saw that is Adam “Long Ball” Duvall.

Thursday day evening was Hispanic Heritage night at Raley Fight. The middle of the lineup for the Rivercats is mucho caliente! It seems that on any given night either Jarrett Parker or Adam Duvall is going to produce plenty of runs to win the game. Tonight it was Duvall.

Duvall hit an 0-2 change up that was up and outside out of the park. Showing his bat strength Duvall would hit to the opposite side landing the round tripper in the bullpen behind the right field fence. This homerun was a three-run homerun as two runners were on base already came home to score. The powerful right-handed hitter that was diagnosed with diabetes in 2012, but continues to show no sign of letting up on the gas pedal as he gives full effort all the time.

Although El Paso would get good at bats in driving up the pitch counts, nothing more could be done as they would only get five hits in this game. This was clearly a far different game than what was played earlier this season in El Paso.

The River Cats bench got a little smaller today when catcher Trevor Brown was taken out of the game. Brown fouled off a pitch that appeared to bounce right back into his throat. No word on his status was available at the time of posting.

Both teams will still be fired up and ready to play tomorrow when Daniel McCutchen (0-1 3.86 era) takes the mound for the Chihuahuas against Braulio Lara (0-3 7.58) for the Sacramento River Cats.

Boxscore Provided by MiLB.com

By Joe Vicory