Originally published on SacramentoPress.com on Aug. 19, 2012


The Sacramento River Cats came up short on Saturday night as they lost their second game in a row, falling to the Las Vegas 51s 10-4 at Raley Field.

River Cats fans showed up heavily for “Star Wars Night,” with fans dressing up as various Star Wars characters. 14,818 fans showed up in total, making it the third most-attended River Cats game in franchise history.

The loss is Sacramento’s fourth in their last five contests.

Las Vegas got to River Cats starting pitcher Bruce Billings early, racking up six of their 10 runs during Billings’ 4.0 innings of work. Billings finished the night with four innings pitched, allowing six earned runs on seven hits and two walks, while striking out two.

The 51s got on the scoreboard first in the first inning when left fielder Ricardo Nanita hit a two-out, two-run homerun to give Las Vegas the early 2-0 lead.

Sacramento threatened in the bottom of the first inning, working into a bases-loaded situation with two outs. Catcher Anthony Recker was unable to come through with the needed hit as he grounded out to second.

Las Vegas wasn’t done scoring there, nor would they relinquish the lead to the River Cats. Las Vegas got right back to scoring in the second inning when Tuffy Gosewisch hit a double to left field to add two more runs for Las Vegas.

Nanita continued the scoring for the 51s with another homerun in the third inning, his second of the night, which gave his team a 5-0 lead. Nanita added a double in the fifth inning before homering yet again in the sixth inning. He finished 4 for 5 with three home runs and a double, along with four runs and four RBIs.

Sacramento used the long ball in the bottom of the sixth inning in an attempt to overcome the 10-0 deficit.

Left fielder Shane Peterson started the scoring by blasting a three-run homerun to center field to give the River Cats their first three runs of the contest. Shortstop Brandon Hicks continued the scoring with a homerun of his own with one out, cutting the lead to 10-4, but Sacramento’s rally would fall short as those would be the only four runs of the game for the squad.

Las Vegas relievers Clint Everts and Jim Hoey came in and shut down the River Cats for the final three innings, only allowing one hit and striking out seven.

Sacramento concludes their series with the Las Vegas 51s on Sunday at 1:05 p.m. at Raley Field. 

Originally published on SacramentoPress.com on Aug. 7, 2012

The Sacramento River Cats’ six-game winning streak came to an end Monday night as they fell to the Nashville Sounds 5-3 at Raley Field.

Sacramento looked to be on their way to another win when they scored the first two runs of the game in the bottom of the second inning. With runners on second and third base and two outs, left fielder Shane Peterson hit one up the middle to give the Cats an early 2-0 lead.

The lead wouldn’t hold up as the Sounds were able to get to River Cats starting pitcher Graham Godfrey in the fourth inning. The Sounds were able to put up two runs in the fourth to tie the game at 2-2.

Sacramento was opportunistic in the sixth inning, capitalizing on a couple of walks by Sounds pitcher Brian Baker to take the lead again.

With Michael Taylor on second and Daric Barton on first due to two walks, Grant Green singled to left field to score Taylor and give the River Cats a 3-2 lead. The run prompted the Sounds to pull Baker off the mound in favor of Juan Perez, who got Peterson to ground out to end the inning.

The lead would once again not hold up as the Sounds came back swinging the very next inning. Designated hitter Khris Davis hit a two-RBI single to give the Sounds back the lead, at 4-3. The lead would prove to be enough for the Sounds. An insurance run was added in the top of the ninth on a home run by shortstop Jeff Bianchi, his second of the season.

Sacramento had a great opportunity to take back the lead in the bottom of the eighth inning when they had the bases loaded with no outs. But from there, ex-River Cat Fautino De Los Santos was able to work his way out of trouble.

After getting Barton to pop out into an infield fly rule, De Los Santos got Green and Peterson to strike out swinging, leaving the River Cats with zero runs on a prime opportunity.

Sacramento takes on the River Cats two more times this series, with the next game occurring Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m. at Raley Field.

Originally published on SacramentoPress.com on Aug. 6, 2012


Former Sacramento King Donte Greene is set to hold the second annual Goon Squad Classic on Aug. 10 at Cosumnes River College in Sacramento, Calif.

Although it appears that Greene will not be playing for the Kings again, Greene wanted to give the fans another chance to attend his charity basketball game, the Goon Squad Classic. The game started last season during the NBA’s holdout, prompting Greene to want to give basketball to the Sacramento region, and benefit numerous charities with the money raised.

“It was in high demand,” Greene said. “I got a great response from the fans, and they wanted me to do another game, and we planned it during the season to hold another one, thinking I will be back in Sacramento. But plans have changed, but I still wanted to hold the game for the fans.”

The game largely benefits Greene’s foundation, the Circle of Success foundation. Greene founded the Circle of Success in 2010 to give back to the community and help younger generations become successful.

“We have after school programs, we have mentor programs, I have a 14-under AAU team that I mentor. It’s to try and be a positive light on the community. I try to brighten people’s day and to hold good events,” says Greene.

The Goon Squad Classic benefits numerous other charities in addition to Greene’s, including Shriners Hospital for Children, Save Our Selves Breast Cancer Organization, Crocker Riverside 4th R after School Care, Jason Thompson Foundation and the American Diabetes Association.

Kings forward Jason Thompson played a part in putting together the game, just as he did last year. Thompson’s L.I.V.E. Like JT foundation is holding a back-to-school drive in an effort to obtain school supplies for those that need them.

Kings players expected to participate include Jimmer Fredette, Tyreke Evans, Jason Thompson, DeMarcus Cousins, Isaiah Thomas, Tyler Honeycutt and Darnell Jackson. Other NBA players participating in the event include Del Campo High School’s Matt Barnes, the Washington Wizards’ John Wall, Los Angeles Clippers guard Jamal Crawford and others.

Tickets can be found at http://gsc2.eventbrite.com/. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and the tip-off ocurrs at 6:30 p.m.

Those attending can expect more than just a basketball game, with plenty of side events for the fans.

“A lot of giveaways: autographs, tennis shoes, game basketballs, pictures and a lot of T-shirts,” Greene said. “There will be fan contests, free-throw contests. It is a good family environment and I want the kids to come out and have a good time and see some of the guys outside of the arenas.”

No matter how many fans show up, Greene promises to have a good time with those that do.

“I just want to have people come out and have a good time,” said Greene about the event. “Whether we have 50, or a couple thousand, we are going to go out and have a good time.”