Sacramento River Cats & SF Giants Press Clips Monday, August 28, 2017

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Sacramento River Cats & SF Giants Press Clips Monday, August 28, 2017 Article Source Author Page River Cats comeback bid falls short in 6-5 loss River Cats Arnold-Gordon 1 Kick off Oktoberfest with

com Haft / Hawthorne 4 Chris Stratton continues to show elite stuff, making bid for long-term role CSN Bay Area Pavlovic 5 Report: Giants expressing the strongest interest in Giancarlo Stanton CSN

1 Sacramento River Cats & SF Giants Press Clips Monday, August 28, 2017 Article Source Author Page River Cats comeback bid falls short in 6-5 loss River Cats Arnold-Gordon 1 Kick off Oktoberfest with Frank N Stein and the River Cats River Cats Barsanti 1 River Cats return to Raley Field for final homestand of 2017 River Cats Barsanti 2 Starter s role fine fit for Strat, who K s 10 again MLB.com Haft / Hawthorne 4 Chris Stratton continues to show elite stuff, making bid for long-term role CSN Bay Area Pavlovic 5 Report: Giants expressing the strongest interest in Giancarlo Stanton CSN Bay Area Staff 6 Giants swept despite another 10-strikeout game for Stratton SF Gate Schulman 7 Giants notes: Johnny Cueto s impending return won t come at Mercury News Baggarly 7 Chris Stratton s expense in rotation

2 River Cats comeback bid falls short in 6-5 loss By Evan Arnold-Gordon / Sacramento River Cats El Paso, TX - The Sacramento River Cats (58-75) and El Paso Chihuahuas (67-67) went back and forth Sunday night in the River Cats final road game of the season. Despite the back and forth action, the River Cats could not overcome a tough ninth inning as they fell 6-5. Mac Williamson put Sacramento on the board in the first inning to give them an early 1-0 lead. It was was short-lived, as El Paso responded in the home half of the frame with four runs of their own. After the Chihuahuas made it a 5-1 lead through four innings, it was the River Cats turn to answer, putting up three runs of their own to make it a one-run game. Chris Shaw's RBI-double in the seventh knotted things up and seemed to have swung the momentum back in Sacramento's favor but El Paso dealt the final blow in the ninth. Two of Sacramento's three errors tonight came in the final inning and right-hander Tyler Rogers had the Chihuahuas down to their final out. Sacramento will return home to open a four-game set against the Las Vegas 51s starting tomorrow night. Left-hander Andrew Suarez (6-5, 3.25) is slated to go for the River Cats and will face Las Vegas righty Luis Mateo (1-0, 5.32). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. (PT) and the game can be heard live online at rivercats.com. The game will also air starting at 7 pm on the air on ESPN Postgame Notes Mac: Right fielder Mac Williamson had the only two-rbi night of the game, his eighth such game this season. Shaw: Left fielder Chris Shaw finished the game 3-for-5 with a double was his fifth three-hit game and leads the team with nine RBI against El Paso this year. Gillaspie: First baseman Conor Gillapsie finished 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI before being replaced in the fifth inning was his seventh double with the club and first RBI in 16 games. Knight: Right-hander Dusten Knight extended his scoreless inning streak in August to 8.2 innings struck out four of the six batters he faced Knight was one of six pitchers used by the River Cats tonight. Take a Walk: Sacramento drew seven free passes tonight, one off their season high Calixte, Hwang and Williamson each walked twice the River Cats offense has earned the fewest walks in the PCL this season (361). Kick off Oktoberfest with Frank 'N Stein and the River Cats By Robert Barsanti / Sacramento River Cats Okctoberfest is coming to Sacramento and there's plenty to be excited about. The Sacramento region will have all the celebrations you could ask for, but there's one celebration that comes before the rest. Frank 'N Stein Night at Raley Field 1

3 This fan favorite event is back and better than ever for its second year at Raley Field. This celebratory ticket package includes a limited edition 2017 Sactown drinking stein, a hot dog voucher, and of course, a ticket to see Sacramento's baseball team in action under the lights at Raley Field. This Oktoberfest kick-off celebration includes live music by Sacramento's Grand Isle Fire Brigade, games, contests, prizes, dancers, and more as we infuse Raley Field with the life and energy of German culture. Make sure to grab your lederhosen! Get your Frank 'N Stein ticket pack today! It's also an Orange Friday at the ballpark, with drink specials in the Beer Garden all night long. Plus, take in some of the area's best fireworks with a postgame firework show. Kick off Oktoberfest with the River Cats and Frank N' Stein night on Friday, September 1. First pitch for Friday night's game between the River Cats and the El Paso Chihuahuas is set for 7:05 p.m. Gates will open at 5:00 pm. River Cats return to Raley Field for final homestand of 2017 By Robert Barsanti / Sacramento River Cats West Sacramento, CA - The Sacramento River Cats are back in Sac for the final time in the 2017 season as they host the Las Vegas 51s (New York Mets) and El Paso Chihuahuas (San Diego Padres). The homestand is packed with exciting promotions, including the return of the fan-favorite Frank 'N Stein Oktoberfest, Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend night, Rockford Peaches-inspired specialty jerseys, Fan Appreciation Night, and much more. Tickets for all remaining 2017 games are still available both online at rivercats.com and at the Round Table Pizza Ticket Office at Raley Field. Monday, August 28 - River Cats vs. Las Vegas 51s Game Time: First pitch is at 7:05 p.m. Raley Field gates will open to all fans at 6 p.m. app, and on ESPN Days of Winning: Enter to win prizes all month long, including a trip to 2018 Giants Spring Training, courtesy of Cache Creek Casino Resort. Baseball Bingo Monday: Each play on the field corresponds to a square on your bingo card, presented by Cache Creek Casino Resort. Tuesday, August 29 - River Cats vs. Las Vegas 51s Game Time: First pitch is at 7:05 p.m. Raley Field gates will open to all fans at 6 p.m. app, and on ESPN Family Value Tuesdays: Fans can enjoy $1 hot dogs and ice cream cups every Tuesday, presented by Toyota. Wednesday, August 30 - River Cats vs. Las Vegas 51s 2

4 Game Time: First pitch is at 7:05 p.m. Raley Field gates will open to all fans at 6 p.m. app, and on ESPN Wellness Wednesday - Wet Nose Wednesday: A final chance to bring your dog to the ballpark for River Cats baseball. Special ticket pack includes a limited edition River Cats dog bandana, a group dog walk before the game, lawn ticket, and a hot dog. Wellness Wednesday is presented by Raley's. Thursday, August 31 - River Cats vs. Las Vegas 51s Game Time: First pitch is at 7:05 p.m. Raley Field gates will open to all fans at 6 p.m. app, and on Money Tito's Trolley: Travel to the ballpark in style with the free Tito's Trolley one final time. The trolley is a part of the Spare The Air Road Relief Program and makes multiple stops around Downtown and Midtown Sacramento. Final Thirsty Thursday: Select 12-oz beers are just $2 and 16oz cans of PBR are just $3, only in the Sactown Smokehouse BBQ in right field. Friday, September 1 - River Cats vs. El Paso Chihuahuas Game Time: First pitch is at 7:05 p.m. Raley Field gates will open to all fans at 5 p.m. app, and on ESPN 1320 AM. Frank 'N Stein Oktoberfest: Oompa bands, dancers, & German culture abound to kick off Oktoberfest. Frank 'N Stein ticket pack includes a limited edition 2017 Sactown beer stein, hot dog, and ticket. Final Orange Friday: Enjoy live music by the Grand Isle Fire Brigade and $2 off craft beers in the Beer Garden, postgame fireworks, and of course, orange Sactown jerseys. Saturday, September 2 - River Cats vs. El Paso Chihuahuas Game Time: First pitch is at 7:05 p.m. Raley Field gates will open to all fans at 6 p.m. app, and on ESPN 1320 AM. Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend: Join us as we celebrate women in baseball with our peachcolored jerseys in the style of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League's Rockford Peaches. Final Saturday Night Fireworks: Enjoy the final fireworks show of the season after tonight's game, courtesy of Sutter Health. Sunday, September 3 - River Cats vs. El Paso Chihuahuas Game Time: First pitch is at 5:05 p.m. Raley Field gates will open to all fans at 4 p.m. app, and on ESPN 1320 AM. 3

5 Fan Appreciation Night: At tonight's game we celebrate and thank the fans for a wonderful 2017 season. Join us for giveaways and prizes, including an overnight trip courtesy of Welk Resorts. Fan Appreciation night is presented by Uncle Ray's Potato Chips. Dinger's Kids Club: Kids Club members are invited to participate in a high five tunnel for River Cats players. Final Sunday Funday: K-LOVE Sunday Funday features one last chance for pregame player autographs, face painters, and Kids Run the Bases after the game. Monday, September 4 - River Cats vs. El Paso Chihuahuas Game Time: First pitch is at 1:05 p.m. Raley Field gates will open to all fans at 12 p.m. Broadcast: Today's game will be broadcast live online at rivercats.com, on the MiLB First Pitch app, and on ESPN Labor Day Picnic: Ticket package includes a pregame Labor Day BBQ in the Sactown Smokehouse. Final Baseball Bingo Monday: Each play on the field corresponds to a square on your bingo card, presented by Cache Creek Casino Resort. Tickets are still available for all games and can be purchased online at rivercats.com, over the phone by calling (916) 371-HITS (4487) or by visiting the Round Table Pizza Ticket Office at Raley Field. Starter's role fine fit for 'Strat,' who K's 10 again By Chris Haft / MLB.com PHOENIX -- Chris Stratton continued to get his work in for 2018 during the Giants' 11-0 loss Sunday to the Diamondbacks. "Getting work in" is what's said in Spring Training about a pitcher's regular-season preparation. Indeed, this might as well have been a late-march exhibition at any of the nearby Cactus League venues, with Stratton building up innings after cementing a starter's role. Of course, Stratton hasn't officially guaranteed himself a place in the Giants rotation. But manager Bruce Bochy acknowledged that the 27-year-old known as "Strat" clearly has demonstrated his ability. "He's exceeded even what we thought or expected with how well he has pitched," Bochy said after the Giants finished absorbing their first series sweep at Chase Field since April 6-8, "He's doing stuff that elite pitchers do." Stratton received Sunday's decision, but avoided the D-backs' nine-run outburst in the eighth inning, allowing two runs and four hits in six innings. He offset his five walks with 10 strikeouts. "I hate the walks," said Stratton, the Giants' first-round selection in the 2012 Draft, "but that's something we'll get better at." Despite starting just five games, Stratton has recorded two of the Giants' six double-digit strikeout performances authored by their starters. He struck out 10 Nationals on Aug

6 "I think it's getting a little ahead of ourselves," Bochy said when asked whether Stratton had clinched a starter's job for next year. "We have a lot of baseball left and starts. But he's doing what you want to see from these guys, making a statement that he can pitch up here and he belongs up here. It's good to see. He's done all he can to force his way on this staff somewhere." Bochy's sentiment was evident before the game, when he insisted that Stratton would remain in the rotation even after Johnny Cueto makes his anticipated return from a right flexor tendon strain within a week. "We're not going to do that to him. He's throwing the ball too well," Bochy said. Referring to Stratton's previous pair of outings against Washington and Milwaukee, in which he threw 12 2/3 scoreless innings, Bochy added, "He's had two good starts against two good teams. No, we won't go start to start." Stratton proceeded to reward Bochy's faith in him. He wisely issued a leadoff walk to Paul Goldschmidt in the second inning before coaxing J.D. Martinez' double-play grounder. The first run Stratton surrendered was the product of a third-inning curveball that Rey Fuentes flung at and missed for strike three. But the ball bounced wickedly in the dirt and away from catcher Nick Hundley for a wild pitch, enabling Chris Herrmann to score from third base. Even Martinez's sixth-inning homer wasn't an egregious mistake by Stratton. "That ball actually was kind of down," Bochy said. "It wasn't that bad of a pitch." Chris Stratton continues to show 'elite' stuff, making bid for long-term role By Alex Pavlovic PHOENIX After he struck out 10 Washington Nationals earlier this month, Chris Stratton got some advice from bullpen coach Mark Gardner. Remember this game, Gardner said. Put it in your back pocket. Use it as a reference point the next time you struggle, a reminder of how good your stuff is. Stratton now has two games to look back at. The rookie had another very impressive start, holding the Diamondbacks to two runs over six innings and striking out 10 more. The rest of this game was very much a 2017 Giants game. They did not hit, and the relief version of Matt Cain plus some shoddy defense turned it into a laugher in the eighth. The Giants lost 11-0, wrapping up a sweep at Chase Field. That was all very familiar, and for Stratton, what he did Sunday is starting to be, too. That s the positive, and Bruce Bochy heaped praise on his young starter after the game. What a job the kid did again, Bochy said. That s three great starts against three good-hitting clubs. This is a tough park to pitch in and he did a real nice job again. He s on a nice roll. Before the game, Bochy was asked what he would do when Johnny Cueto returns to the rotation. He said he will not remove Stratton. We re not going to do that to him he s throwing the ball too well, Bochy said. Sunday reinforced that belief, and it showed again that the former first-rounder has deceptively good stuff. 5

7 Entering Sunday s games, Stratton had the fifth-highest spin rate in the majors on curveballs and 10thhighest on sliders. His fastball isn t close to being the fastest on the team, but it has the second-highest spin rate, behind only Mark Melancon. Pitchers often say the hitters will tell them how good their stuff is. Right now, some pretty good hitters are telling Stratton he has really good stuff. You hate to say you're surprised, because we think he s good that s why he s here and in the rotation but he has exceeded what we thought, Bochy said. He s doing stuff that elite pitchers do. It s good to see him pitch at this level. Stratton is all of a sudden throwing his name into long-term conversations. Bochy acknowledged that it s far too early to make any 2018 decisions, but if the team was decided today, Stratton would be on the staff. The Giants could use him as a long or short reliever, or leave him in the rotation and move someone else to the bullpen. Perhaps Stratton makes the front office feel that they can decline Matt Moore s option and spend that money on a hitter. Perhaps he turns Ty Blach into a left-handed reliever, which the bullpen sorely needs. For now, Stratton is trying not to think big picture. He was happy with Sunday s performance, but kicked himself repeatedly over the five walks he issued. Asked about his future, Stratton reiterated that it s up to management. Hopefully I m showing them what I can do, he said. Report: Giants 'expressing the strongest interest' in Giancarlo Stanton By NBC Sports Bay Area staff Now that Giancarlo Stanton is finally reaching his potential and the Marlins are changing ownership, teams think this is the perfect time to swoop in and snatch him away. The Giants, Cardinals, Rangers and Phillies have all called the Marlins recently to remind the club of their interest, according to USA Today's Bob Nightengale. And of those four, the Giants are reportedly "expressing the strongest interest." Any deal that might possibly happen would likely occur during the offseason. Stanton just cracked the 50-home run barrier on Sunday and has a very real chance of climbing up the all-time single-season homer list. While Stanton's value might be at an all-time high, it would behoove the Marlins to hold on to the slugger and let him set any potential records with them. Prior to the July 31 trade deadline, NBCSportsBayArea.com Giants Insider Alex Pavlovic examined the possibility of Stanton coming to San Francisco, what might stand in the way and why it could happen. The 27-year-old Stanton has 10 years and $285 million left on his contract with a $25 million team option or $10 million buyout for the 2028 season. 6

8 Giants swept despite another 10-strikeout game for Stratton By Henry Schulman / SF Gate PHOENIX If the Giants are playing for pride, they failed over the weekend in a three-game Arizona sweep at Chase Field. Sunday s finale should have been a celebration of Chris Stratton s second 10- strikeout game in his past three starts. It turned into their 80th loss, an 11-0 embarrassment. The Diamondbacks scored nine runs in the eighth inning, including successive homers by Paul Goldschmidt, J.D. Martinez and Daniel Descalso, the first two against Matt Cain, who allowed eight runs in two-thirds of an inning. But 2-0 or 11-0, the deficit going into the ninth hardly mattered for an offense that scored four runs over three games in this hitting paradise. The Giants were shut out at Chase for the first time in nine years and swept for the first time in six. Anytime you get swept it s not a good weekend, second baseman Joe Panik said. Today just wasn t pretty. At the same time, we ve got to look forward to San Diego. The Giants were coming off a good series, too, taking two of three from a Brewers team that then took two of three from the Dodgers. But Giants hitters came to Arizona and sounded a death rattle. It did not help that their best hitter, Buster Posey, went 1-for-11 and hit just one ball out of the infield, a ground single Sunday. His left thumb is still hurting from being bent back on a tag at the plate against the Phillies the prior Sunday. Brandon Crawford, the hottest hitter, did not play because of a tight hamstring, then lost his 10-game hitting streak when he hit into a double play as a pinch hitter to end the eighth. But, man, was Stratton good again. The Giants have six starts this year with at least 10 strikeouts. He owns two, and against a pair of tough offenses in Washington and Arizona. On Sunday he struck out Jake Lamb three times. Only Madison Bumgarner and Colorado s Tyler Anderson have done that this year. Stratton had a 142/3-inning scoreless streak end on a strike-three wild pitch that should have ended the third inning. He also allowed the first of Martinez s two homers. Manager Bruce Bochy said before the game that Stratton has pitched too well to lose his rotation spot when Johnny Cueto returns. (Cueto allowed eight runs, including a grand slam, for Class A San Jose on Sunday.) Stratton is making a strong case for 2018, too. He s exceeded what we thought of or expected with how well he s pitched, Bochy said. He s doing stuff that elite pitchers do. He s on a nice roll. Giants notes: Johnny Cueto s impending return won t come at Chris Stratton s expense in rotation By ANDREW BAGGARLY PHOENIX Chris Stratton has forced the Giants to sit up and take notice over his last two starts. He threw 12 2/3 scoreless innings against two of the better offensive clubs in the league. 7

9 A skeptic would point out that he caught the sleepy Nationals in the first game of a doubleheader after a rain-delayed night game. And the Brewers were in a bit of a lull when Stratton faced them at AT&T Park last Monday. In any event, Stratton is about to receive a true test when he tries to keep the Arizona Diamondbacks from completing a three-game sweep at Chase Field. The Diamondbacks have six left-handed batters in their lineup, and two of the three right-handed guys Paul Goldschmidt and J.D. Martinez don t exactly provide a respite. Stratton has struggled to establish himself against left-handed batters. They have a.340 average and.443 on-base percentage against him this season. (No homers in 50 at-bats, though.) Giants manager Bruce Bochy agreed with the notion that this start will provide a good opportunity to evaluate Stratton. But he disagreed with the notion that Stratton s place in the rotation could hinge on how he does at Chase Field. We re not going to do that to him, Bochy said. He s throwing the ball too well. He s had two good starts against two good teams. No, we won t go start to start. That s a particularly important statement right now because Johnny Cueto is making what he and the Giants hope will be a final rehab start for Single-A San Jose. If all goes well in his pitch outing, Cueto would rejoin the Giants rotation. It s possible the team will use a six-man rotation, which when combined with days off (the Giants get a break every Thursday in September, oddly enough), would mean the starters taking the mound just one day a week. The Giants have every reason to keep giving the ball to Stratton, who changed the grip on his slider in the Arizona Fall League last year and has done a better job changing eye levels with his fastball. If Stratton could establish himself as a viable No.5 starter candidate for next season, it s possible that Ty Blach could become a swingman contributor in a bullpen that lacks both dependable long relief as well as left-handed presence. Imagine a bullpen with Blach, a rehabbed Will Smith and a left-handed specialist from the outside world (such as Mike Minor or Jerry Blevins, if their options aren t picked up). Point is, Stratton s continued emergence would give the Giants options. And as the Dodgers have shown this season, the more options you have to manage your pitching staff, the better. Brandon Crawford has a tight hamstring that is playable, but he s getting a day as a precaution. Hunter Pence s hamstring might be even worse, but he s playing through it. It ll need a few days to clear up, and he doesn t want to do that, Bochy said of Pence. Pence also is a.484 hitter with four homers and four doubles in 31 at-bats against Arizona lefty Patrick Corbin. 8

10 Nick Hundley has done a good job working with Stratton, and he gets a start while Buster Posey tries to slough off a tough series as he starts in place of Ryder Jones at first base. Jones is batting.186 including.125 against lefties, so he gets his second game off in the series He s just caught in between, it looks like, Bochy said of Jones. He s trying to get settled in up here. This is what you deal with, the growing pains. This kid has a lot of talent. He s off tomorrow, but he ll be out there. 9

Sacramento River Cats & SF Giants Press Clips Tuesday, August 1, 2017

Sacramento River Cats & SF Giants Press Clips Tuesday, August 1, 2017 Article Source Author Page Sacramento shuts out New Orleans, win third straight River Cats Arnold-Gordon 1 Cueto exits rehab start