TUCSON – Champions again.
It seems like old hat for the River Cats. So much so the team had a short celebration at the pitcher's mound and then went into the clubhouse as if it was business as usual.
Which it is.
The River Cats' 15-2 win over Tucson at Kino Stadium gave them a fifth consecutive Southern Division title. It was their 10th such title in 12 years.
The River Cats (78-53) will pursue their fifth Pacific Coast League championship next month.
"For me, this is special because it's the first time I'm going to the playoffs,'' said Jai Miller, who hit a two-run homer in the third, his 30th of the season.
"A lot of these guys have gone to the playoffs every year. I'm the newbie … . It's the best team I've been on in the minor leagues," Miller said.
The River Cats won their fifth straight game and are 8-1 in their last nine games.
They hit three home runs against Tucson. Their 15 runs were the most the River Cats scored since defeating Reno 16-5 on May 30.
"We played good baseball tonight and the whole series,'' Cats manager Darren Bush said. "I'm proud of them. They've played good all year long."
The Cats have been especially good on the road. They improved to 41-22 away from Raley Field.
"That plays a huge part in why we are here tonight,'' Bush said of winning the Southern Division. "We've been able to go on the road and win on a consistent basis."
The River Cats scored in every inning except the second and fifth. Up 6-2 through five, they added nine more runs in the final four innings.
First baseman Chris Carter was 2 for 5 with a home run and four RBIs.
Designated hitter Adrian Cardenas was 2 for 6 with a home run and three RBIs.
Second baseman Wes Timmons and left fielder Michael Taylor both drove in two runs.
The River Cats took a 3-0 lead in the first, responded to a two-run Tucson second with two of their own in the third for a 5-2 lead, and continued to collect hits and runs through their last at-bat.
Sacramento pitcher Travis Barnwart (7-9) gave up four hits and just two unearned runs in seven innings for his first win since Aug. 2.
The River Cats tonight begin a five-game series at Fresno.
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