Tag Archives: Tyler Rogers

Central Valley Sports, Sacramento River Cats

Dave Brundage Returning To Manage Sacramento River Cats In 2018

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New pitching coach Steve Kline and fundamentals coach Nestor Rojas to join returning hitting coach Damon Minor

 WEST SACRAMENTO, CA – The Sacramento River Cats, in conjunction with the San Francisco Giants, are thrilled to welcome back Dave Brundage for his second season as manager of the River Cats for the 2018 season.

Brundage will be joined by a few new faces for the 2018 season at Raley Field. While Damon Minor will return for his third season as the River Cats hitting coach, he will be joined by new pitching coach Steve Kline and fundamentals coach Nestor Rojas. The new training staff will be made up of athletic trainer David Getsoff and strength and conditioning coach Andy King. Travis Higgs will round out the club’s 2018 field staff, and will serve as bullpen catcher and team administrator.

An Oregon native, Brundage joined the River Cats in 2017 and compiled a 64-77 record in his 20th season as a minor league manager. Before coming to Sacramento, the veteran manager spent the previous four seasons with the International League’s Lehigh Valley IronPigs. In 2016, Brundage led the IronPigs to an 85-58 record, the second best mark in all of Triple-A baseball.

Brundage, 53, made his managerial debut in 1995 with the Riverside Pilots (Seattle Mariners Class A-Advanced) but has spent most of his managerial career at either the Double- or Triple-A levels. Prior to his four seasons with Lehigh Valley, Brundage helmed the Richmond/Gwinnett Braves for six seasons from 2007 through 2012. He made his Triple-A debut in 2006 with the Pacific Coast League’s Tacoma Rainiers. Brundage has a career record of 1,435-1,392 (.508) in 20 seasons as a manager including a 857-858 (.499) mark at the Triple-A level.

Drafted in the 4th round of the 1986 Amateur Draft out of Oregon State University, Brundage spent 10 seasons as a player in the Minor Leagues with the Phillies and Mariners organizations.

Minor, 43, returns to the River Cats for his third season as hitting coach. In his second year with the team, Minor worked closely with Triple-A newcomers and top Giants’ prospects Christian Arroyo, Chris Shaw, and Ryder Jones as they prepared for their Major League debuts.

A former Giant, Minor was drafted by San Francisco in 1996 and made his Major League debut in 2000. In 136 games over parts of four seasons, Minor hit .232 with 13 home runs. He set a career-high in 2002 when he played in 83 games and slugged 10 home runs, helping the Giants claim the National League pennant. While in the Giants farm system, he compiled a .277 batting average with 179 home runs and 648 RBI across nine seasons.

Kline, 45, joins the River Cats as pitching coach after serving in the same role for three seasons with the Double-A Richmond Flying Squirrels and nine seasons overall with the organization. While in Richmond, Kline helped in the development of several River Cats standouts, including Tyler Beede, Andrew Suarez, and Tyler Rogers. Kline led the Giants Double-A affiliate to a top-five pitching staff (in team ERA) in each of his three Eastern League seasons, including a league-leading 3.12 team ERA in 2015.

Kline completed his 11-year Major League career as a lefty reliever with the Giants in 2007. All told, he appeared in 796 MLB games with five different organizations. The Pennsylvania native was an 8th round selection by the Cleveland Indians in the 2003 draft out of the University of West Virginia. He set the single –season record for appearances (89) in 2001 while with St. Louis, and led the National League in games played as a pitcher for three consecutive seasons (1999-2001).

Rojas, 34, will join the River Cats as fundamentals coach after managing the Class-A Advanced San Jose Giants in 2017. Since retiring at the end of the 2010 season, Rojas immediately began his coaching career and has been a bright up-and-coming coaching talent in the Giants organization.  Rojas landed his first managerial job in 2013 at age 29 with the Arizona Rookie League Giants, and led them to a 41-14 record. Prospects (and future River Cats) Christian Arroyo and Ryder Jones each began their professional careers as teenagers under Rojas during that 2013 season.

A native of Venezuela, Rojas played for six seasons in the Giants organization, including two stints with Triple-A Fresno in 2009 and 2010.

Rounding out the field staff will be a new athletic training and strength and conditioning duo. David Getsoff will join the River Cats as the athletic trainer in his 10th season with the Giants Organization, while Andy King will be the River Cats strength and conditioning coach in what will be his fifth season with the Giants. Travis Higgs will return as the team’s bullpen catcher in 2018.

Press Release Courtesy of the Sacramento River Cats Media Relations

Central Valley Sports, Sacramento River Cats

Sacramento River Cats Silenced By El Paso In 6-1 Loss

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Four-run eighth inning dooms River Cats

El Paso, TX – The Sacramento River Cats (57-73) were within one run of the El Paso Chihuahuas (65-66) heading into the eighth inning, but their chances slipped away late as they fell 6-1.

The River Cats seemed to have gotten out of the eighth inning unscathed until home plate umpire Ronnie Teague overturned an out call at first base which gave El Paso another chance. The Chihuahuas took advantage, pushing four runs across off Sacramento right-hander Tyler Rogers to put the game out of reach.

Left-hander Matt Gage was terrific over his six frames tonight for the River Cats, allowing two runs on seven hits while striking out six. Trevor Brown knocked in Sacramento’s lone run in the fourth inning, driving in Jae-Gyun Hwang for his ninth RBI of the year.

Game two tomorrow night will feature Sacramento right-hander Casey Kelly (6-5, 4.47) up against El Paso left-hander Dillon Overton (6-5, 6.80). First pitch is set for 6:05 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 1320.

Match Recap Courtesy of the Sacramento River Cats Media Relations

Central Valley Sports, Sacramento River Cats

Tim Federowciz and Chris Shaw Lead Sacramento River Cats To 7-4 Win

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Sacramento racks up 13 hits, Suarez goes five strong

Reno, NV – Tim Federowicz and Chris Shaw drove in three each tonight, playing a key part in the Sacramento River Cats (53-71) 7-3 defeat of the Reno Aces (70-55).

The duo combined to go 4-for-9 with four runs, six RBI, and each added a home run tonight to pace the offense. First baseman Ryan Lollis added an RBI in Sacramento’s three-run sixth inning which put them up 5-3 and swung the momentum in the River Cats favor.

Andrew Suarez got the start tonight for Sacramento, holding the Pacific Coast League’s best offense in check over his five innings. The left-hander allowed two runs (one earned) on six hits without yielding a walk and struck out three en route to picking up his sixth win on the season. Right-hander Tyler Rogers pitched the final 1.2 innings tonight and earned his team-leading 10th save of the year.

The River Cats and Aces will wrap up their four-game series tomorrow night. Left-hander Matt Gage (1-6, 6.70) will be on the hill for Sacramento and will face right-hander Jake Buchanan (6-3, 4.50). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. (PT) and the game can be heard live online at rivercats.com and on the air on ESPN 1320.

Match Recap Courtesy of the Sacramento River Cats Media Relations 

Central Valley Sports, Sacramento River Cats

Sacramento River Cats Stung By Salt Lake Despite Suarez’s Brilliance

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Williamson’s homer the lone run in River Cats 3-1 loss

West Sacramento, CA – Andrew Suarez gave the Sacramento River Cats (50-69) 8.1 phenomenal innings Saturday night, but it was not enough as the Salt Lake Bees (60-60) hit a three-run home run after his departure to steal the game away, 3-1.

Suarez threw a career-high 8.1 innings tonight, striking out eight Salt Lake hitters, four of which were looking. After allowing a single and a double in the ninth, the left-hander was relieved by right-hander Tyler Rogers. Rogers was able to retire the first hitter he faced and came within one strike of ending the game before Bees’ right fielder Shane Robinson shocked the 13,000-plus at Raley Field with his go-ahead three-run homer.

Mac Williamson went deep in the seventh inning for what seemed to be the winning run, putting the River Cats up 1-0. The Sacramento offense was silent other than that, managing just six hits while going 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position. With tonight’s loss, Sacramento ended their four-game winning streak against Salt Lake and five-game home winning streak.

Sacramento will send left-hander Matt Gage (0-6, 7.30) to the hill tomorrow to face Salt Lake’s right-hander Daniel Wright (6-7, 7.13). First pitch is set for 5:05 p.m. (PT) and the game can be heard live online at rivercats.com and on the air on ESPN 1320.

Match Recap Courtesy of the Sacramento River Cats Media Relations

Central Valley Sports, Sacramento River Cats

Slade Heathcott Drives In Two In Raley Field Debut, Lifts Sacramento River Cats To Victory

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Sacramento completes comeback to beat Salt Lake Bees 5-3

West Sacramento, CA – The Sacramento River Cats (50-68) found themselves trailing the Salt Lake Bees (59-60) late Friday night at Raley Field, but rallied in the seventh inning for the come-from-behind, 5-3 victory.

In his Raley Field debut, centerfielder Slade Heathcott went 1-for-3 with a walk and two crucial RBIs. With the game tied at three in the seventh, Heathcott muscled a base hit up the middle, scoring two and putting Sacramento up 5-3. He was joined in the inning by Trevor Brown, whose RBI-single tied the game one batter earlier.

Steven Okert, who pitched in each of the seventh, eighth, and ninth innings, got the win, his third of the year. Tyler Rogers took over for Okert with one out in the ninth and recorded his eighth save of the season.

Game two of this four-game homestand features Sacramento’s #11 prospect Andrew Suarez against Salt Lake’s Andrew Heaney (on rehab from Los Angeles Angeles). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. (PT) and the game can be heard live online at rivercats.com and on the air on ESPN 1320.

Match Recap Courtesy of the Sacramento River Cats Media Relations

Central Valley Sports, Sacramento River Cats

Sacramento River Cats Outlasts Iowa 4-2 In Extra Innings

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Suarez turns in quality start, offense rallies late over Cubs

Des Moines, IA – The Sacramento River Cats (49-65) rallied for two runs in the 11th inning Monday night as they outlasted the Iowa Cubs (53-59) by a final score of 4-2.

Jae-Gyun Hwang was the catalyst tonight for the River Cats, singling home Mac Williamson to get the rally started in the 11th. One batter later, Ryan Lollis moved Tim Federowicz over to third base with a sacrifice bunt before the catcher eventually scored on a wild pitch. In the home half of the 11th, submariner Tyler Rogers closed things out to earn his team-leading seventh save this season.

Lost in the shuffle was Sacramento starter Andrew Suarez who went seven innings for a third consecutive start. The left-hander allowed two runs on five hits and retired 12 of 13 Iowa hitters at one point. The No. 11 prospect in the Giants’ organization has now turned in four straight quality starts and owns a 2.16 ERA in four road starts (6 ER, 25 IP). 

Left-hander Matt Gage (0-6, 6.82) will get the start for Sacramento tomorrow night in game two. He will oppose Iowa left-hander Rob Zastryzny (1-1, 6.67). First pitch is set for 5:08 p.m. (PT) and the game can be heard live online at rivercats.comand on the air on ESPN 1320 at 7:00 p.m. (PT).

Match Recap Courtesy of the Sacramento River Cats Media Relations

Central Valley Sports, Sacramento River Cats

Chris Shaw Lifts Sacramento River Cats Over Storm Chasers

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Gomez goes five strong as Sacramento tops Omaha 5-4

Omaha, NE – Chris Shaw helped get the Sacramento River Cats (48-64) back to their winning ways Saturday night as his go-ahead home run in the eighth inning put them up for good against the Omaha Storm Chasers (52-59) in the 5-4 victory.

Sacramento and Omaha went back and forth tonight before Shaw’s decisive late-inning blast. After the River Cats took a 3-0 lead in the second inning, the Storm Chasers answered back, scoring three runs themselves off starter Roberto Gomez. Jae-Gyun Hwang helped the River Cats retake the lead an inning later by hitting a solo home run, but Omaha was once again up to the challenge, tying things up 4-4 in the sixth inning.

Omaha would not go quietly, putting two runners on the ninth before right-hander Tyler Rogers induced a game-ending double play to earn his sixth save on the year.

The River Cats will finish up their four-game set against Omaha tomorrow afternoon as they send right-hander Jose Flores (1-1, 3.86) to the hill. Left-hander Onelki Garcia (4-2, 4.50) will get the call for the Storm Chasers. First pitch is set for 12:05 p.m. (PT) and the game can be heard live online at rivercats.com and on the air on ESPN 1320.

Match Recap Courtesy of the Sacramento River Cats Media Relations

Central Valley Sports, Sacramento River Cats

Ryder Jones Ices New Orleans The Baby Cakes, Sacramento River Cats Win 4-3

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Giants’ #14 prospect homers twice, lifts Sacramento in series opener

West Sacramento, CA – Ryder Jones powered the Sacramento River Cats (44-62) to a 4-3 victory Saturday night over the New Orleans Baby Cakes (40-66) in front of a packed Raley Field crowd.

Jones went yard twice for Sacramento tonight, launching his 12th and 13th home runs of the season. His go-ahead, solo home run in the seventh inning proved to be the decisive run, putting the River Cats up for good. The left-handed hitting Jones has been on a tear of late, driving in eight of the club’s last 20 runs.

Right-hander Casey Kelly made his season debut for Sacramento, going five innings while allowing two runs on five hits. The 27-year-old yielded two walks and fanned four New Orleans batters before giving way to the bullpen. Right-hander Tyler Rogers picked up the win, his third, and Derek Law earned his fifth save this season. 

San Francisco’s Mark Melancon will make a rehab appearance with the River Cats tomorrow, pitching the first inning before scheduled starter Roberto Gomez (2-6, 5.10) takes over. Left-hander Mike Kickham (0-0, 4.91) will get the call for New Orleans. First pitch is set for 5:05 p.m. (PT) and the game can be heard live on the air on ESPN 1320 and online atrivercats.com.

Match Recap Courtesy of the Sacramento River Cats Media Relations

Central Valley Sports, Sacramento River Cats

Tyler Beede Tosses Gem, Leads Sacramento River Cats To Victory

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Right-hander allows just one run over seven innings against El Paso

West Sacramento, CA – The Sacramento River Cats (40-56) rode a strong start by Tyler Beede as they took down the El Paso Chihuahuas (48-49) 3-1 Wednesday afternoon at Raley Field.

Beede looked sharp from the get-go, retiring the first seven El Paso hitters he faced. The right-hander kept the Chihuahuas off balance all day en route to sixth win of the year, striking out five, three of which were looking. He set season-highs in pitches thrown (109) and strikes (78) before giving way to reliever Tyler Rogers in the eighth. Rogers allowed one of his inherited runners to score but closed the door after that, finishing out the game and earning his fifth save.

Wynton Bernard gave Beede the support he needed in the first inning, leading off the frame with a home run to left field. The River Cats tacked on two more runs in support of their starter in the fifth thanks to RBI-double by Ali Castillo and a fielder’s choice hit by Orlando Calixte. Despite being outhit by El Paso 8-7, Sacramento took advantage of their three errors on the day and stole two bases.

Sacramento will go for the series win tomorrow night as they send right-hander Chris Stratton (4-5, 5.33) to the mound. El Paso will counter with right-hander Kyle Lloyd (7-6, 4.17). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. (PT) and the game can be heard live on the air on ESPN 1320 and online at rivercats.com.

Match Recap Courtesy of the Sacramento River Cats Media Relations

Central Valley Sports, Sacramento River Cats

Sacramento River Cats Drop Both Ends Of Double Header

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Sacramento looks ahead to fresh start in El Paso on Monday
Fresno, CA – The Sacramento River Cats (29-45) were swept in their double header on Saturday, falling 6-2 in both games to the Fresno Grizzlies (38-38) at Chukchansi Park in Fresno.
In the first game, the River Cats scored in the first inning against Fresno, but they could not build much from there. Sacramento’s offense was stymied from there on as they managed to score just one run on three hits over the next six frames.
Roberto Gomez got the start for the River Cats and cruised through the first three innings before the Grizzlies busted things open in the fourth. Gomez allowed a season-high six runs in the fourth, all coming before the right-hander was able to record an out. He was relieved by Tyler Rogers who finished out the game with three scoreless innings in the 6-2 defeat.
Dusten Knight got the start for the River Cats in game two and was excellent for the first three innings. The Grizzlies used two home runs and a sixth inning rally to build their lead. DJ Snelten relieved Knight, but the damage was done.
The River Cats have an off day tomorrow in which they will travel to El Paso for a four-game set starting Monday. It will be the first series of the season for Sacramento against the Chihuahuas. The River Cats have yet to announce a starter, while the Chihuahuas will send LHP Dillon Overton (1-2, 9.33) to the hill. First pitch is set for 6:05 p.m. (PT) and the game can be heard live online at rivercats.com and on the air on ESPN 1320.
Match Recap Courtesy of the Sacramento River Cats Media Relations