River Cats Drop Finale in Albuquerque, Take Series Split

ALBUQUERQUE, NM - The ball was carrying on a warm afternoon in Albuquerque as the River Cats and Isotopes combined for 17 runs on 22 hits, including four home runs. Both Darren Ford and Adam Duvall went deep for Sacramento, but the River Cats were unable to overcome an Isotopes six-run sixth inning as they dropped the matinee finale 10-7.

Ford provided a spark at the top of the lineup, reaching base three times on a day where the River Cats scored seven runs and recorded 10 hits. His second inning two-run home run put the River Cats on the board and cut a 3-0 deficit to 3-2. Overall, Ford was 3-for-5 with 2 RBIs and 2 runs scored.

He was matched by Duvall, who contributed to the early scoring with a fourth-inning solo shot, his 11th of the season and second in three games. Duvall recorded one other hit, ending his afternoon 2-for-4 with a walk, 2 RBIs and 2 runs scored.

Albuquerque struck first on a three-run home run from third baseman Tim Smalling. The home run was Smalling's fourth of the season and his third against the River Cats. Sacramento countered in the next inning though, scoring two runs of their own. After Clayton Blackburn worked a walk, Ford launched his third homer of the year out to left, cutting the deficit to one.

The 'Topes added another in the bottom of the third on an Angelys Nina RBI-single before the River Cats scored six runs over the next three innings to take a 7-4 lead in the sixth. Duvall's homer was supported by RBIs from Trevor Brown, John Bowker, and Jarrett Parker.

The lead shifted sides again as the Isotopes sent ten men to the plate in their half of the sixth and scored six unanswered runs on six hits and two River Cats errors. The Albuquerque sixth was punctuated by a three-run homer from Roger Bernadina and proved to be the decisive inning in the game as the River Cats were unable to take back the lead.

The River Cats showed off their power not just in today's finale, but throughout the series and the road trip, as well. Sacramento hit six home runs during their four-game stay in Las Vegas and another seven in this latest series with the Isotopes for a total of 13 in eight games. Duvall, Ford, Brett Jackson, and Juan Perez contributed two each to that total.  

Sacramento will return home in second place in the Pacific Northern for an eight-game homestand with the Memphis Redbirds and Nashville Sounds May 21-28. The homestand kicks off Thursday following Wednesday's off day. Robert Coello (5-1, 3.47) will go for his sixth win of the season as he takes on Memphis' LHP Tyler Lyons (2-1, 2.91).

 

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The Sacramento River Cats are the Triple-A affiliate of the 2014 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 2015 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.