PCL Sacramento River Cats

Machado Lines 1st Rc Homer, Sacramento Drops Pitchers' Duel

Published on August 18, 2022 under Pacific Coast League (PCL)
Sacramento River Cats News Release


West Sacramento, Calif. - A third inning homer and a solid performance by the bullpen was not enough to lift the Sacramento River Cats (49-65) to victory, as they dropped a 3-2 pitchers' duel to the Las Vegas Aviators (57-57) on Wednesday.

The River Cats threatened in the bottom of the ninth, putting the tying and winning runs on base with one out.

Second baseman David Villar kicked off the rally with a first-pitch single. After first baseman Yermín Mercedes flew out to left, designated hitter Jason Krizan singled to left to set up pinch-hitter Andrew Knapp. Lefty Adam Kolarek entered, struck out Knapp, and forced catcher Ford Proctor to ground out to end the game.

Originally down 2-0 in the third, shortstop Dixon Machado got Sacramento on the board, lining a 94.5 MPH sinker 397 feet to left field for his first home run as a River Cat (102.2 MPH exit velocity).

Three innings later, right fielder Austin Dean lined a double down the left field line and took third on a bobble before scoring on Villar's game-tying RBI double.

Things remained tied until the top of the ninth when Las Vegas first baseman Dalton Kelly lined a two-out go-ahead home run for a 3-2 lead.

Right-hander Ronnie Williams struck out two while allowing two runs (one earned) on one hit and two walks in 2.0 innings.

Righty Luis Ortiz piggybacked Williams with a strong 2.0 innings, striking out three. The 26-year-old has 14 strikeouts, a 0.87 WHIP, and a .176 opposing batting average in his last 15.0 shutout innings.

The two teams will hit the road and head to Las Vegas for another three game series starting on Friday. Righty Tristan Beck (4-7, 5.71) will take on righty Adrian Martínez (5-6, 5.50) at 7:05 p.m. (PT). Listen to Johnny Doskow call the game online at rivercats.com or on the MiLB First Pitch app.

Additional Notes

Righty Gregory Santos, San Francisco's No. 25 prospect on MLB Pipeline, struck out two in a perfect inning of relief.

Lefty Scott Alexander continued his dominance for Sacramento, striking out the first four batters he faced in 1.2 shutout innings.

Check out the Sacramento River Cats Statistics

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Pacific Coast League Stories from August 18, 2022


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