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Largest Raley crowd watches Cats fall
By Martin McNeal - mmcneal@sacbee.com
Published 12:00 am PDT Friday, July 4, 2008
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C5
The largest crowd in Raley Field history received fireworks during and following the game Thursday night.
The announced standing-room crowd of 15,808 was not fortunate enough to see the River Cats end their eight-game homestand with a victory.
Portland designated hitter Justin Huber's solo shot down the left-field line off reliever Jeff Gray in the ninth broke a 9-9 tie and gave the Beavers a 10-9 victory.
Portland right fielder Chip Ambres stuck his glove above his head and the fence and snared a line drive by River Cats designated hitter Jesus Guzman with two outs in the bottom of the ninth to secure the win.
The game was just six pitches young when River Cats catcher Landon Powell took a foul ball into his mask and had to leave the game with a bruise on his right cheek.
The ball actually stuck in the mask. Powell was tended to by trainer Brad LaRosa and then walked to the clubhouse.
River Cats manager Todd Steverson said he'd never seen a play like that one. Neither had Powell nor his teammates, he said after the game.
"It started swelling really quick, and that's why they took me out," Powell said. "That, and it was so close to my eyes, they didn't want to take any chances."
Powell said he'd been icing the bruise for two hours and it was still noticeable.
"I've been playing baseball since I was five years old and never seen anything like that. All of my teammates have been playing all of their lives, and they all said they'd never seen a mask break like that.
"I'm lucky because it was so close to my eye," Powell said. "I know it's going to swell some overnight, so we'll just have to wait and see. It's a little sore, but not that badly."
Justin Knoedler replaced Powell and hit his fifth homer of the season.
However, the River Cats pitchers could not contain Portland's offensive attack. Huber's home run was one of 14 hits, including four doubles and two triples. The 10 runs marked the third time this season a visiting team scored in double digits at Raley Field.
Even with Portland's hitting prowess, Steverson was more irritated by his team's inability to get runners in scoring position home with fewer than two outs.
"Execution," Steverson said after the game in his office. "I'll say it again and again and again. … That's what this game is about."
About the writer:
- Call The Bee's Martin McNeal, (916) 326-5504.
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