River Cats Fold As Aces Rally Late

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. - A four-run first inning wasn't enough for the River Cats as the Aces rallied to a 6-4 win in front of 9,210 Thursday night at Raley Field. Despite an impressive start from Nik Turley - who struck out a season-high six - Sacramento watched their lead disappear late as they dropped the series opener 6-4 to the Aces.  

Turley looked dominant on the mound for Sacramento, shutting out the Aces through six innings while allowing just two hits and a walk. Pitching in the seventh inning for the first time this season, Turley gave up a two-run home run to Aces' third baseman Jamie Romak before being replaced by Cody Hall. For the most part, Turley kept the Aces off the bases and off the board, allowing just the 2 runs on 4 hits and 1 walk while striking out 6 through 6.1 innings.

Turley's 6 strikeouts were his most in a start this season, passing his previous high of 4 (6/2 at Oklahoma City). He lowered his ERA from 10.47 to 8.34 with the outing.

The River Cats jumped out early, scoring four times in the bottom of the first inning against Reno's starter Caleb Clay. The big hit of the inning came from Hector Sanchez, who lined a two-out double to left field scoring Ehire Adrianza and Adam Duvall. Ryan Lollis followed with an RBI-double and Carlos Triunfel added an RBI-single before the inning was over.

Overall, Sanchez was 1-for-4 and tallied his second multi-RBI game of the year. Triunfel was 3-for-4 on the night, raising his season average to .260.

Reno rallied past the River Cats in the eighth inning, scoring four times on three this, two walks, and an error to take a 6-4 lead. The Aces sent nine men to the plate in the inning against Sacramento's relievers Braulio Lara and Cody Hall. Both Cody Ransom (1-for-3) and Romak (2-for-4) drove in two for the Aces on the night.

Lara took the loss for Sacramento, falling to 0-5 on the season. Matt Reynolds (2-4) picked up the save for Reno and Kaleb Fleck recorded his second save.

Sacramento will look to even this four-game set tomorrow night behind lefty Ty Blach (5-6, 3.63). Blach has been very good at home, posting a 3-3 record and a 2.89 ERA. Opposing him will be another lefty, Reno's Justin Marks (3-6, 6.08). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.

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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.