PCL Sacramento River Cats

Four-Run Ninth Not Enough for Cats Against Express

Published on June 21, 2023 under Pacific Coast League (PCL)
Sacramento River Cats News Release


ROUND ROCK, Tex. - Trailing by just a run after a solo blast from Armando Alvarez in the fourth, the Sacramento River Cats could come no closer as a quartet of three-run fames led the Round Rock Express to take the opener of a six-game set by a 15-6 final on Tuesday.

The Express (41-29) scored in six of their eight trips to the plate, starting with a pair of runs that stemmed from an Elier Hernandez triple to deep center and a Jonathan Ornelas single down the right field line. Just an inning later they followed that with consecutive hits to start the frame, a leadoff double from Dustin Harris that immediately came around to score on a Diosbel Arias single through the right side with the shift on.

It took until Alvarez's second homer of the year in the fourth for the River Cats (33-37) to reach the scoreboard, a two-out shot that came following a pair of quick outs. After a two-out single in the fifth, Sacramento had each of their next eight hitters retired in order until Will Wilson broke up that streak with a one-out single in the eighth.

That inning saw the River Cats score once, though it was not Wilson but rather Bryce Johnson who reached on a fielder's choice when Wilson was retired. Driving him in was Tyler Fitzgerald, collecting his 30th RBI of the year on a liner to right field.

Meanwhile, the Express started their streak of three-run innings in the home half of the fourth, two of which crossed the plate on bases loaded walks. Round Rock then matched that with a three-run shot in the fifth from Blaine Crim, a bases loaded double by J.P. Martinez in the sixth, and finally another pair of homers in the eighth that included a two-run home run by Martinez.

Turning on the offense late, the River Cats built a mini rally during their swings in the ninth with four runs but could not get over the hill. An Alvarez leadoff walk scored on an RBI double from Clint Coulter, his 11th extra base knock in his past 12 hits. Coulter was joined on base by Wilson with a two-out walk, which allowed Bryce Johnson to mash a three-run dinger over the wall in right field on full-count pitch. Johnson's third of the year marked the 18th multi-homer game for Sacramento this season, and brough the game to its 15-6 final.

Taking the loss in his Triple-A debut was Kai-Wei Teng (0-1), yielding five earned runs on seven hits in just over 3.0+ innings of work while striking out four and walking three. Round Rock starter Cole Ragans did not go long enough to factor into the decision, allowing one run on three hits in 4.0 innings, leaving Cole Winn (2-5) to take the victory after going 3.0 scoreless innings with one hit surrendered and a pair of punchouts.

Six of nine River Cats hitters tallied hits, which included multiple knocks from Johnson, Alvarez, and Wilson. Johnson went 2-for-5 with a pair of runs and three RBI from the leadoff spot, Alvarez finished 2-for-3 thanks to a walk and single in addition to his homer, and Wilson was a clean 2-for-2 with a run scored and a pair of walks.

Game two between these squads will commence Wednesday from Dell Diamond with the first pitch scheduled for 5:05 p.m. (PT).

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Pacific Coast League Stories from June 21, 2023


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