River Cats Fall, Midland Inches Closer

The Sacramento River Cats outstanding 2009 season came to a quiet end on Friday night, as the River Cats were swept by the Memphis Redbirds in the PCL finals. Meanwhile, the Midland Rockhounds powered their way to a 2-1 series lead in the Texas League final.

Sacramento's Season Ends

The Sacramento River Cats' dream of a Pacific Coast League three-peat came to a unsatisfactory end on Friday night, as the River Cats were swept out of the finals by the Memphis Redbirds. For the second time in the three-game series, the River Cats were shut-out, losing this time by a score of 6-0.

The River Cats managed nine hits, but couldn't string them together to score any runs. Meanwhile, Memphis took a 1-0 first inning lead and never looked back. They scored another run in the second and two runs in the fifth and again in the seventh.

Starter Jerome Williams allowed four runs in five innings and took the loss. He struck-out three and walked two. Michael Benacka allowed the other two runs in 1.2 innings of work.

Former River Cats Evan Maclane scattered nine River Cats' hits over 8.1 innings. He didn't walk a batter and he struck-out eight and earned the win. Chris Carter and Adrian Cardenas each had two hits to lead the River Cats' offense.

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Midland Homers Way To Win, Series Lead

The Midland Rockhounds homered four times and survived a late Northwest Arkansas rally to win, 9-7, and take a 2-1 lead in the Texas League finals. Josh Horton, who homered only five times during the regular season, hit two homeruns in the win.

Midland got off to a good start, scoring three times in the first and three more times in the third. Shane Peterson had three hits, including a homer, and two RBIs. It was his second homer of the post-season. Corey Brown had a two-run homer and Josh Donaldson added two hits, including a double.

Kyle Middleton earned his second win of the playoffs by allowing three runs in 6.1 innings. He struck-out six and walked three. The normally reliable Mickey Storey made things a little interesting when he allowed a three-run homer in the eighth that closed the Midland lead to 9-6. Jared Lansford shut the door for Midland, allowing only an unearned run in 1.2 innings to earn the save.

Midland goes for the Texas League title on Saturday.