River Cats break through in 16th inning to edge 51s

Eric Patterson's bases-loaded single with one out in the 16th inning Friday night lifted the Sacramento River Cats to a 2-1 victory over the 51s in a Pacific Coast League game in West Sacramento, Calif.

The River Cats (30-18), who held a 12-7 edge in hits, loaded the bases in the 16th on two infield singles, a sacrifice and an intentional walk. Patterson, one of two Sacramento players with three hits, then laced a 1-and-1 pitch from Bill Murphy (0-2) to deep left to end it.

Jay Marshall (2-0), the sixth River Cats reliever, worked three perfect innings for the win. Las Vegas (19-29) was hitless over the final 6 2/3 innings.

Both teams got solid efforts from their starting pitchers. River Cats left-hander Gio Gonzalez gave up two hits in seven shutout innings, and 51s lefty David Purcey gave up one run in seven innings.

Daric Barton's two-out RBI double in the third inning gave Sacramento a 1-0 lead that lasted until the eighth, when Angel Sanchez scored from second on Buck Coats' single.

Las Vegas loaded the bases with one out in the 10th, but Randy Ruiz grounded into an inning-ending double play.