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Rogowski powers Cats' 8-2 blowout over Fresno

06/20/2008 11:33 PM

Casey Rogowski's three RBI's helped lead the way in the Cats' 8-2 blowout Friday night

Jordan Guinn
Rivercats.com
Staff Writer

(June 20, WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif.)— With both squads sporting retro jerseys, the Sacramento River Cats clobbered the Fresno Grizzlies, 8-2, Friday night at Raley Field. Casey Rogowski helped power the Cats’ eight-run outpouring with three RBI’s and a home run. Meanwhile, Cats’ pitchers held the Grizzlies to six hits and just eight baserunners on the game.

Rogowski opened up the scoring for the Cats in the bottom of the first with an RBI double that brought home Brooks Conrad.

The Cats capitalized on Grizzlies’ mistakes in the second inning. Richie Robnett reached on shortstop Brian Bocock’s throwing error and scored on Wes Bankston’s ninth home run of the season, a towering shot to left that landed on the roof of the Jackson Rancheria Home Run Terrace. The Cats stretched the lead to 4-0 on Gregorio Petit’s single to right that scored Justin Knoedler, who reached on a walk.

Grizzlies’ starter Nick Pereira struggled with his command and only lasted four and one/thirds innings. He gave up six runs, four earned, on six hits and four walks. Pereira threw 101 pitches, 56 of which were strikes. “When a guy is throwing like that, you are going to get good pitches to hit,” Steverson said.

The Cats caught a break in the third on a Grizzlies’ baserunning mishap when Brian Bocock walked with one out and Eugenio Velez smoked a line drive down the right field line. Bocock was held up at third and Velez didn’t realize he needed to go back to second until it was too late. Velez was thrown out and the Cats avoided having runners at second and third with one out. “We were heads up on that play,” River Cats’ manager Todd Steverson said after the game. Gissell got Ivan Ochoa to ground out to short to end the inning without surrendering any runs.

The Cats would extend the lead to 6-0 in the fifth on Rogowski’s 10th home run of the season, a shot to right that landed in the Grizzlies’ bullpen. “It felt good,” Rogowski said. Rogowski didn’t believe that the bright orange Grizzlies’ jerseys made it more difficult or even easier to hit the ball against Fresno but suggested that the Cats’ uniforms confused the other team. “Maybe the green made it difficult for them.”

Cats’ starter Chris Gissell was efficient and dominating during his five innings of work. He allowed two hits and recorded two strikeouts while walking only one. He threw 53 pitches, 37 for strikes. “He had a pitch count of 60-65, I think he had a few pitches to spare,” Steverson said. “Getting through five innings with that pitch count is pretty solid.”

Joe Gaetti bloated the Cats’ lead to 8-0 with his seventh home run of the season in the seventh. His drive to left center easily cleared the wall and landed on the roof of the ground crew’s building. Grizzlies’ reliever Kevin Gryboski would settle down afterwards and strike out the next three Cats he faced.

Clay Timpner singled home Julio Cordido in the eighth and Nate Schierholtz hit a home run in the ninth to avoid the shutout for the Grizzlies and make the score 8-2.

Game Notes: The Cats and Salt Lake Bees are currently tied with the most wins in the Pacific Coast League with 45…The Cats ended an eight-game home stand on Friday at 4-4…The Cats’ record in night games is 35-23…The Cats improve to 34-12 in games in which they score first…The Cats are 21-14 at home this season…The Cats next game is Saturday, June 21, at 6:05 p.m. against the Salt Lake Bees…Lenny DiNardo (5-1, 4.21 ERA) will take the bump for the Cats, Giancarlo Alvarado (4-2, 3.84 ERA) gets the nod for the Bees.

Email any comments or concerns relating to the article to Jordan Guinn at mediarel@rivercats.com

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