Ellis stars as 51s ruin Cats’ party
While the Sacramento River Cats celebrated their landmark 2007 season Friday night, the 51s were intent to continue their climb to .500 this season.
A.J. Ellis' bases-loaded double in the second inning erased the River Cats' early lead, and Las Vegas cruised to a 9-3 Pacific Coast League victory in West Sacramento, Calif.
Sacramento (4-4), which last season won the PCL and Triple-A titles, unfurled the championship banners in a pregame ceremony. But the night belonged to Ellis, the No. 9 batter in Las Vegas' lineup.
The first-year 51s catcher finished 3-for-3 and cut down a River Cats runner trying to steal to quell a scoring threat.
Terry Tiffee, John Lindsey and Angel Chavez each had a double and a single for the 51s (4-5), and Chavez drove in two runs. Las Vegas finished with six doubles among its 13 hits and turned four double plays.
Eric Stults (1-1) held Sacramento to three runs in six innings, and Dwayne Pollok pitched three scoreless innings for his first save.
