PCL: Beavers Beat River Cats, 5-1

The Beavers tallied five doubles in the game.

Salem-News.com SPORTS

SACRAMENTO - Justin Germano struck out six over five strong innings for a win in his return to the Beavers, and Oscar Robles celebrated his 31st birthday with three hits in Portland’s 5-1 victory over the Sacramento River Cats Monday night at Raley Field.

Germano (1-0), who pitched for the Beavers in 2004 and 2005 before being traded to Cincinnati, allowed just one run and five hits against the River Cats (2-3).

It was his first start with the club since July 19th, 2005, when he tossed a complete-game, four-hit shutout against Sacramento in his final appearance before the trade that sent third baseman Joe Randa to San Diego.

Portland relievers Scott Strickland, Royce Ring, Justin Hampson and Leo Rosales pitched one scoreless inning apiece and held the River Cats hitless over the final four innings to secure the series-opening win.

Craig Stansberry has hit safely in each of the first five games and had a two-run double that started the scoring in the three-run second inning. Robles then plated Stansberry with a triple to right field.

In the fourth, Robles and Luis Cruz hit back-to-back, two-out doubles to up the lead to 4-0. Portland added another run in the fifth when Royce Huffman’s fourth double of the season scored Brett Dowdy.

Sacramento’s Kevin Olsen (0-1) gave up five runs (four earned) and seven hits – six of those for extra bases – in the loss.

The River Cats were able to get to Germano for a run in the bottom of the fifth when Donnie Murphy and Kevin Melillo hit back-to-back doubles.

The two teams meet again Tuesday night at 7:05 PM.

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