Breaking NewsSponsored by The Sullivan Auto Group
Subscribe: Home Delivery Special!
Gonzalez fans 13 in one-hit Cats victory
The starter seems to save his best for Fresno: He has struck out 25 in 17 innings.
By Anthony Galaviz - Special to The Bee
Published 12:06 am PDT Saturday, July 5, 2008
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C5
FRESNO - Something about playing the Fresno Grizzlies brings out the best in River Cats starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez.
Gonzalez pitched a one-hitter and struck out 13 in the River Cats' 5-1 win over the Fresno Grizzlies before an announced Chukchansi Park crowd of 13,696 Friday night.
Against the Grizzlies, Gonzalez is 2-0 and has 25 strikeouts in 17 innings.
"What can you say?" River Cats manager Todd Steverson said. "Works fast. Hit his spots."
Gonzalez provided defense, too. He didn't allow a hit through five innings and helped himself when he caught a line drive near his face that sent him to the ground in the seventh.
After the line drive, he smiled while sitting in the front of the mound.
"Our game plan was to get at them," Gonzalez said. "First pitch you want to throw a strike and don't fall behind."
Grizzlies left fielder Eugenio Velez hit a solo homer in the sixth inning for the only hit off Gonzalez.
"I try not to pay attention," Gonzalez said of the no-hitter. "Just try to keep throwing strikes."
Gonzalez struck out the side in the ninth inning for his first complete game this season.
Before the game, Steverson preached execution. His team responded when Joe Gaetti hit a run-scoring single to center field to give the River Cats a 1-0 lead in the second inning. Then, Jesus Guzman smashed a three-run home run over the center-field wall for a 4-0 lead.
"They know," Steverson said. "I'm very verbal with execution."
But the River Cats had the bases loaded in the fifth and seventh innings but couldn't generate any runs. Steverson was disappointed his team couldn't produce a run.
"It's going to come back and hurt you," Steverson said.
The River Cats lead 4-1 in the Highway 99 Showdown Series. The winner of the season series will be crowned the California Cup champion, earning the title as the top Triple-A team in California.
Unique content, exceptional value. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
Most Popular
More Stories in Sacramento River Cats
News |
Sports |
Business |
Politics |
Opinion |
Entertainment |
Living Here |
Travel |
Blogs |
Cars |
Homes |
Jobs |
Classifieds/Shopping
Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Site Map | Advertise | Guide to The Bee | Bee Jobs | FAQs | RSS
Contact Us | e-edition | Subscribe | Manage Your Subscription | E-newsletters | Sacbeemail | Archives
sacbee.com | Sacramento.com | Capitol Alert | SacMomsClub.com | SacPaws.com | SacWineRegion.com
Copyright © The Sacramento Bee
2100 Q St. P.O. Box 15779 Sacramento, CA 95816 (916) 321-1000