WEST SACRAMENTO — Michael Taylor’s first-inning, three-run homer helped the Sacramento River Cats defeat the Las Vegas 51s, 7-1, on Saturday night at Raley Field.

Taylor’s shot in the first was all Sacramento would need to beat the 51s thanks to a strong performance by the Cats pitching staff. Starter Bruce Billings gave up just two hits and walked two while striking out seven in six shutout innings. Righty Arnold Leon tossed two scoreless inning of his own, before Merkin Valdez gave up one run in the top of the ninth, but still sealed the win.

With his team holding a three-run lead in the bottom of the fourth inning, Anthony Recker extended the advantage with a line-drive home run to left field. In the sixth, Jermaine Mitchell tripled home Luke Hughes before shortstop Eric Sogard cleared the bases with a two-run home run on the very next pitch to make it 7-0.

Taylor finished 2-for-3 with three RBIs and a run scored. Mitchell and Recker each posted a pair of hits, while Kila Ka’aihue worked three walks. All seven of the River Cats’ runs were driven in by either a home run or the triple.

With the win, Billings moves to 5-3 on the year with a 3.31 ERA. After giving up a leadoff walk to Anthony Gose in the third, Billings retired the next 12 batters in a row before being lifted to begin the seventh inning.

Sacramento will host Las Vegas again Sunday in a 1:05 p.m. contest that will feature Cats right-hander Brad Peacock (6-6, 7.12 ERA) facing 51s righty Scott Richmond (7-5, 5.66 ERA).

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