Costly 4-run inning hands River Cats 2nd straight loss
Published on May 9, 2021 under Pacific Coast League (PCL)
Sacramento River Cats News Release
Las Vegas, Nev. - Hard contact and a defensive mishap in the sixth inning were too much to overcome for the Sacramento River Cats (2-2), losing to the Las Vegas Aviators (2-2).
Right-hander Shun Yamaguchi (0-1) allowed five runs (three earned) in five piggyback innings during his Triple-A debut. The 33-year-old, who pitched 14 years in the Nippon Professional Baseball League and last season with Toronto (AL), was welcomed by Las Vegas third baseman Jacob Wilson with a fourth-inning solo home run.
Still holding a 3-2 lead in the sixth, things got out of hand for Yamaguchi as four runs scored, two coming on an error by left fielder Jason Krizan. Yamaguchi's shutout innings in the seventh and eighth kept the game within striking distance and provided valuable length and rest for a taxed Sacramento bullpen.
Three-time MLB All Star, and 12-year MLB veteran Scott Kazmir made his first affiliated start since July 8, 2017, when he threw three innings for the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (Dodgers' Single-A affiliate). Kazmir went three innings, striking out three while allowing just two hits and one earned run on Sunday.
The River Cats originally took the lead in the third off right-hander Paul Blackburn. Catcher Joey Bart came through with a clutch two-out, two-run single to right field which scored center fielder Bryce Johnson and shortstop Thairo Estrada. Right fielder Joe McCarthy kept the two-out rally going with an RBI-single to score Krizan and make it 3-1.
Right-hander Tyler Beede looks to end the two-game skid in his second rehab start. He draws Las Vegas right-hander Brian Howard on Monday. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. (PT). Listen to all of the action live online at rivercats.com, on the MiLB First Pitch app.
Additional Notes
Sacramento brought the tying run to the plate with no outs in the eighth but could not capitalize. Krizan reached on an error and Bart doubled off Las Vegas righty Domingo Acevedo to start the inning, but the 6-foot-7 reliever buckled down and got six of the next seven batters to earn the two-inning save.
Johnson had another impressive day at the plate, this time from the leadoff spot. Following two straight days with two-run homers, the 25-year-old went 3-for-5 with a double and run scored to raise his average to .571.
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