The San Francisco Giants were in for a great pitching matchup in Los Angeles with Madison Bumgarner facing off against Clayton Kershaw. There was also a great pitching matchup going on for the AAA affiliate of the Giants as well. The Sacramento River Cats started Austin Fleet against Mike Montgomery for the Tacoma Rainiers. The River Cats would get their third win in a row, closing out the series by a score of 3-1.

Austin Fleet gave up only one run in his six innings pitched before he handed the ball over to the bullpen. Erik Cordier and Juan Gutierrez came out of the Bullpen to continue where Fleet had left off. Cordier retired the side in the top of the seventh inning with two ground ball outs and a strike out, then turning the game over to Juan Gutierrez. Gutierrez retired five straight batters before walking Julio Morban with two outs in the top of the ninth inning. Gutierrez then struck out John Hicks end the game, giving him his first save of the season.

Mike Montgomery had a great start for the Tacoma Rainiers as well. He made a few mistakes in the game, and this was his undoing despite making a quality start. He ended up with 7 innings pitched giving up 3 runs giving him his second loss of the season.

The big bats were back at it again for Sacramento. Jarrett Parker struck first with a hard hit line drive single in the second inning. After stealing second, he scored to tie the game after being driven in by a Guillermo Quiroz sacrifice fly. In the bottom of the sixth inning Adam Duvall would add to the lead and break out of his mini slump. With two outs Duvall crushed a moon shot homerun for his fifth homerun of the season.  Before his sixth inning homerun, Duvall was 1 for his last 14 at bats. He was still batting over .360 even with the slump, which is evidence of how productive Duvall has been for Sacramento. The Rainiers pitching would silence the River Cats at bats for the rest of the game.

It is said that a pitcher’s talent is judged not by how he throws but how he pitches. If you are a thrower you just rear back and let it go. If you are inaccurate and have trouble with command it doesn’t matter how hard you throw. On the other hand if you are a “pitcher” you can be dominate with mediocre velocity by hitting your spots and changing speeds. I have recently heard MLB scouts say velocity is overrated. This series really brought this idea to life. The River Cats pitching was just a little more on point then the Rainiers, giving Sacramento three wins out of four games. Then we have to remember that there are times that great offense beats good pitching.

The Rivercats take the field again on Thursday when the El Paso Chihuahua’s come to town. The Tacoma Rainiers return home to start a 4 game series with the Fresno Grizzlies.

Boxscore Provided by MiLB.com

By Joe Vicory