Big fifth inning pushes River Cats to victory

September 2, 2018 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Sacramento River Cats News Release

LAS VEGAS, NV - The Sacramento River Cats (55-83) took down the Las Vegas 51s (69-69) with a 7-3 victory on Saturday night to even the series.

Sacramento's five-run fifth inning, fueled by a costly 51s error, proved to be the deciding factor. The inning would have been over on a Myles Schroder flyout, but left fielder Dominic Smith dropped the ball and allowed two runs to score. Newly-acquired shortstop Abiatal Avelino would then single to score Schroder, followed by first baseman Brock Stassi's second double of the game - both of which plated Avelino.

The 23-year old middle infielder from the Dominican Republic, acquired Thursday in a trade which sent Andrew McCutchen to the New York Yankees, was stellar in his debut, recording two hits and two stolen bases while playing a clean shortstop.

The River Cats will play a rare 7:05 p.m. (PT) game on a Sunday as right-hander Jordan Johnson (1-6, 4.91) takes the ball for Sacramento while the 51s are set to send righty Drew Gagnon (6-6, 4.74) to the mound. Catch all of the action live online at rivercats.com, on the MiLB First Pitch app, and on the air on Money 105.FM.

Additional Notes

- It had been exactly two months since a River Cats player had stolen two bases in a game until Avelino accomplished the task in his debut. Fellow shortstop Kelby Tomlinson was the last to do it, nabbing two bags on July 1 at home against Fresno.

- The River Cats will need to score eight runs over their final two games to avoid setting a new record for fewest runs scored in franchise history.

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The Sacramento River Cats are the Triple-A affiliate of the three-time World Champion San Francisco Giants. The team plays at Raley Field in West Sacramento, consistently voted one of the top ballparks in America. River Cats Season Tickets, Mini-Plans, and Flex Plans can be purchased for the 2018 season by calling the River Cats Ticket Hotline at (916) 371-HITS (4487). For more information about the River Cats, visit www.rivercats.com. For information on other events at Raley Field, visit www.raleyfield.com.

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