The Grizzlies won the game, but it's the River Cats' season that continues.
Fresno scored five runs in the game's final two innings, pulling away for a 7-4 win over Sacramento before an announced crowd of 12,764 at Raley Field on the final day of the regular season Monday.
The River Cats begin their Pacific Coast League title defense Wednesday when they host the Salt Lake Bees in the first game of the best-of-five Pacific Conference championship series.
"You'd like to win. You never want to come in here and lose," River Cats manager Todd Steverson said. "You're not going to do anything crazy, but if you can take the extra base, take it. … It's a game of baseball. You play it."
After recording two quick outs, the River Cats' Justin Dowdy walked Brian Horwitz to keep the Grizzlies alive in the second. Brett Harper made him pay, doubling down the right-field line to score the game's first run.
The River Cats followed Harper's lead in the third.
Brooks Conrad's two-out double set up Chris Denorfia, who singled to right to tie the game. Carlos González kept the rally alive, singling in Denorfia to put Sacramento up 2-1.
Then it was Harper's turn to take center stage once again. The 6-foot-4, 245-pounder hit his 20th home run of the season, tying it 2-2 in the fifth.
Sacramento had its share of chances in the sixth and seventh, but couldn't capitalize.
Matt Murton and Wes Bankston led off the sixth with back-to-back singles, but Fresno starter Steve Hammond retired Donnie Murphy, Jeff Baisley and Danny Putnam in order to end the threat.
The River Cats had another chance in the seventh. Following Denorfia's two-out walk, González sent a towering fly ball to right. Daniel Ortmeier dropped the ball, but recovered in time to throw out Denorfia at home.
John Bowker's RBI single gave Fresno the lead in the eighth. Harper's RBI single made it 4-2 Grizzlies.
Fresno scored three more in the ninth, pushing its advantage to 7-2. Putnam and González had RBI singles in the bottom half, but Murton grounded into a forceout with runners on first and second to end the ballgame.
With the regular season in the books, the River Cats turn their attention to the Bees. Sacramento holds an 11-5 record against Salt Lake this season, having outscored the Bees 102-72 in those contests.
"Whatever," Steverson said. "You just never know. We know Nick Green is pitching for them the first game. We've fared well against Nick, but it's different in the playoffs. You have to go out there and execute."
PCL Pacific Conference championship series
River Cats vs. Salt Lake Buzz
Best-of-five series
Wednesday: at Cats, 7:05 p.m.
Thursday: at Cats, 7:05 p.m.
Friday: at Salt Lake, 6:05 p.m.
*Sat.: at Salt Lake, 6:05 p.m.
*Sunday: at Salt Lake, 6:05 p.m.
*–If necessary
River Cats report
Wednesday's game: 7:05 p.m. at Raley Field. Salt Lake RHP Nick Green (8-8, 5.32 ERA) vs. River Cats RHP Brad Knox (7-4, 5.33).
Notes: Justin Dowdy threw six innings of four-hit ball for Sacramento. He allowed two earned runs and struck out five. He has a 3.75 ERA in 12 innings with the River Cats.
• Fresno starter and Sacramento City College product Steve Hammond went seven innings, giving up two runs while walking one and striking out six. He's 5-7 with a 6.08 ERA with Fresno. The Giants acquired Hammond for Ray Durham on July 20.
