River Cats reliever Jeff Gray has worked in obscurity much of the season. But he leads the pitching staff in appearances with 44, so he's been ready when manager Todd Steverson has called his name.
That was the case Wednesday afternoon when Gray pitched the final two innings and was the beneficiary of a Sacramento run in the ninth to get the victory in a 7-6 win over Memphis.
Cliff Pennington's line single into right field scored Danny Putnam from second base with two outs and gave the River Cats their fifth victory in their past six games. Gray (2-7) allowed two hits and a walk, but did not allow a run.
The ninth-inning run gave the Cats their third walk-off victory in five games and their third consecutive victory in a one-run game. Today is a rare day off for the River Cats, who travel to Las Vegas to start a four-game series against the second-place 51s.
"Everybody knows what this series is about," Steverson said. "We're in first place and they are in second."
Putnam was hit by a pitch with one out in the ninth. With two outs, Joe Gaetti took advantage of a second chance and singled to shallow left. That moved Putnam to second from where he scored on Pennington's hit.
Gaetti had fouled a ball down the first-base line and it appeared Memphis first baseman Rico Washington was going to catch the pop-up for the third out before a fan made his presence felt. Steverson said Washington had to reach into the stands, so the fan was within his right to go after the ball.
"If the umpire had called (fan interference)," Steverson said, "he would have gotten an argument. (Washington) had to reach over to get the ball, that's how I knew it was in the stands.
"But the weird thing about that play was the fan was the only guy in the stadium who had on a Redbirds' hat and a Redbirds' jersey."
Steverson said the victory for Gray was deserving.
"He's got great stuff," the manager said. "He's got closer-type stuff, if he's right. He throws 94 to 96 miles per hour with a good slider and curveball.
"He can make me feel better as a manager."
Call The Bee's Martin McNeal, (916) 326-5504.
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