The River Cats played an extra inning Wednesday night, a first at Raley Field this season. Though the Cats previously had been clutch in late-game situations, the Portland Beavers grabbed a 2-1 win in front of an announced crowd of 6,987.
"Extra innings or nine innings, you're going to come out on one end of it, and you hope to be on the other side," River Cats manager Todd Steverson said.
The Beavers got their first win of this series after falling to the River Cats twice earlier this week. With one out and the bases loaded in the top of the 10th, Portland's Matt Antonelli hit a sacrifice fly off River Cats left-hander Jerry Blevins. Will Venable scored to give the Beavers the lead.
"I think Blevins left that ball up too much, more than he wanted," Steverson said.
Said Beavers manager Randy Ready: "Blevins is an All-Star. For him to be facing Antonelli, who is hitting under .200 right there, it was nice for our kid to come through."
Beavers pitcher Edwin Moreno earned his eighth save of the season after retiring the River Cats in order to end the game.
The River Cats stranded nine runners, including three in the bottom of the eighth inning. "That was obviously a great opportunity to score, one of the better ones we had in prior innings, and we got nothing out of it," Steverson said.
The River Cats scored their only run in the second inning after right fielder Richie Robnett hit a sacrifice fly to drive in Joe Gaetti. The Beavers responded with a run in the fifth inning. Venable led off with a double to right field and scored after catcher Nick Hundley hit a ground-rule double to left-center field.
Venable and Hundley each went 2 for 4.
Joe Thatcher (4-0) earned the win after striking out four in 12/ 3 innings. Blevins (2-2) took the loss.
"Our guys made pitches when we had to get out of the jam," Ready said. "It's nice for us to come out on top tonight."
Call The Bee's Melody Gutierrez, (916) 326-5521.
