River Cats rally in the ninth to beat Beavers

Originally published on SacramentoPress.com on June 9, 2010

The Sacramento River Cats rallied late once again to beat the Portland Beavers 4-3 Thursday night at Raley Field.

Portland took an early lead when Anthony Contreras hit a three-run home run off Cats' starting pitcher Clay Mortenson, who was seeking his Pacific Coast League leading 11th win of the season.

The River Cats tied the score in the bottom of the fourth inning when Steve Tolleson doubled into left field, bringing first baseman Chris Carter to bat with a runner in scoring position and no outs. Carter promptly hit a home run to deep center field, bouncing it off a roof, and Tolleson scored, bringing the Cats to within one run of the Beavers.

Three batters after Carter's home run, Michael Taylor hit another home run to right field, with two outs, evening the score at three runs apiece.

An interesting situation arose in the bottom of the sixth, with the River Cats up to bat. Tolleson was on second and Carter on first with no outs, when designated hitter Dallas McPherson hit a ball to shallow right field that looked as if it had been caught. The first base umpire said no, catching Carter and Tolleson in between bases. Carter was forced out at second and Tolleson was tagged out in a run down for an odd double play.

Manager Tony DeFrancesco argued the call in between innings, and eventually was ejected by second-base umpire Angel Campos. This was DeFrancesco's third-straight ejection at Raley Field.

The score remained tied at 3-3 as the Cats went into the bottom of the ninth inning. With the “rally pants” out, the Cats rallied to get the win.

Cats' catcher Josh Donaldson walked to lead off the inning. Then Adam Heether doubled down the third-base foul line, sending Donaldson to third base. Beavers' relief pitcher Adam Russell intentionally walked Erik Sogard to pitch to Corey Wimberley, who hit the walk-off chopper over the second baseman's leaping glove to score Donaldson.

This was the River Cats' fifth win in a row, placing the team four games back from the Fresno Grizzlies for the top of the PCL Pacific South Division. The Cats meet the Beavers again Friday night.