PCL Sacramento River Cats

Efficient Cats Fall in Final Frames to Aces

Published on August 2, 2023 under Pacific Coast League (PCL)
Sacramento River Cats News Release


WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Late innings were the downfall of the Sacramento River Cats in game two against the Reno Aces on Wednesday, as despite their five-spot in the fourth, Reno scored four times in the final two frames for a 9-6 win.

Though the Aces (57-47) had two in scoring position in the first, the game's first run did not cross the plate until the second. A single and an error on a would-be double play ball left another runner just 90 feet from home, and cashing in was Blaze Alexander as he drove in the runner with a single to right field.

Quickly the River Cats (45-48) responded, using a pair of walks and a Joey Bart single to lead the bases with no outs. However, what looked like it could be a big inning saw just one score on a groundout from Bryce Johnson.

After both sides went in order during the third, Sacramento claimed its first lead of the game in the home half of the fourth. It took just two batters, as a Bart walk preceded a no-doubt blast from Brett Wisely, as he launched a 1-1 pitch deep over the wall in right field. That marked the 12th consecutive game in which the River Cats have crushed a dinger, and they are now four games shy of the 16 straight that they accomplished last season.

Offense continued as the River Cats immediately loaded the bases thanks to consecutive singles from Mark Mathias, who was making his Sacramento debut, and Johnson, finally going full after a free pass to Wade Meckler. The first two of that trio scored on a Reno throwing error on a ball hit by Thairo Estrada, earning him one RBI while the other scored on the error. Finally, it was the recently returned Marco Luciano driving in the last tally of the frame, sending a ball into left for a single that drove in Meckler.

Stealing three of those runs back in the next half inning were the Aces, striking for three on one swing of the bat by Phillip Evans. Sitting in a hitter's count, Evans drove a 1-0 pitch out to left center that once more brought the game to within a run, 6-5.

Each team had just one hit in the sixth, but Reno threatened to score as their knock came as a double following a walk to Sergio Alcantara. It took a solid defensive play at third from Brett Wisely to keep the run from scoring, as he had a quick transfer to Bart at the dish to keep the score locked.

Neither side had a hit in the seventh, but the game changed for good in the top of the eighth thanks to a pair of blasts for the Aces. Stealing the lead was Alcantara on a 2-1 pitch, sending one over the fence in left center for a two-run shot that had also scored Ali Sanchez after he singled to open the frame.

Two batters later it was Buddy Kennedy leaving the yard, launching his to left field that pushed the score to 8-6. Meanwhile, Reno managed an insurance run when they drew a walk with the bases loaded, then sat down the River Cats in order in the bottom of the inning to preserve the 9-6 win.

Sacramento starter Sean Hjelle nearly made it through five innings, tossing 4.2 while allowing three earned runs (five total) on eight hits with three strikeouts, though he did not factor into the decision. Charged with the loss was Ray Burgos (0-1) in his first game at Sutter Health Park, yielding three runs on three hits with a pair of punchouts.

Entering in the bottom of the seventh and tossing the final 2.1 innings of Reno's win was Andrew Saalfrank (0-2), as he did not allow a hit while striking out three and facing the minimum seven batters. In fact, Reno closed the contest by retiring each of the final 11 River Cats hitters.

Six runs on six hits were the total for Sacramento, with all six knocks coming from different bats. Wisely, who was 1-for-3, had the only multi-RBI game thanks to his home run. Meanwhile, Luciano's RBI single helped him finish 1-for-4, and he has now logged a hit in all seven Triple-A games that he has played in.

The River Cats will seek to get back into the series when these two teams take the diamond for game three on Thursday, with first pitch at 6:45 p.m.

Check out the Sacramento River Cats Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Pacific Coast League Stories from August 2, 2023


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central