The Sacramento River Cats had the fewest wins of any division winner in the Pacific Coast League this season. But that didn't matter on Friday night.
The Giants' Triple-A affiliate beat the Round Rock Express 7-5 to sweep the Pacific Coast League championship series.
The 2019 PCL title is Sacramento's first since 2008 when the River Cats were affiliated with the Oakland A's.
The achievement also ended a long, long drought for Giants' Triple-A affiliates.
Congratulations to the Sacramento River Cats, who swept the Round Rock Express to win the Pacific Coast League championship. It's the first time a Giants Triple-A affiliate won the PCL crown since the Phoenix Giants in 1977.— Andrew Baggarly (@extrabaggs) September 14, 2019
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Infielder Abiatal Avelino and outfielder Mike Gerber came through in the top of the eighth inning to give the River Cats a lead they wouldn't relinquish.
Avelino drove in the game-tying and go-ahead runs with a single to right field, while Gerber added an insurance run with an RBI groundout.
BUY ALL THE BROOMS FROM SACRAMENTO AND THE SURROUNDING SUBURBS WE ARE PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE CHAMPIONS ALSO TONIGHT IS FRIDAY THE 13TH AND A FULL MOON ARE Y'ALL TRYNA GET SPOOKED— Sacramento River Cats (@RiverCats) September 14, 2019
PCL Champs!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/vGLyskhhKq— Sacramento River Cats (@RiverCats) September 14, 2019
😎 pic.twitter.com/3gd6yn0EAs— Sacramento River Cats (@RiverCats) September 14, 2019
Switch-pitcher Pat Venditte threw a scoreless inning and was credited with the win.
Now, the River Cats will face the International League champion Columbus Clippers in the Triple-A Championship game on Tuesday in Memphis, Tenn. It's a one-game, winner-take-all clash for the Triple-A crown.
While the Giants have fallen on hard times at the major league level, things are starting to look up in the minors. In addition to the Sacramento's PCL title, the San Francisco has a handful of promising prospects making their way through the system.
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Things are starting to look up for Farhan Zaidi and Co.
