Five-Run Fifth Flies Gulls Past River Cats

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - The River Cats got their season long 14-day road trip underway with a 6-4 loss in Salt Lake against the Bees. Jarrett Parker continued to swing the hot bat and place himself in scoring position, but an attack in the middle innings from Salt Lake, playing Friday's game as former PCL team the Salt Lake Gulls, proved to be too much for Sacramento to overcome.

Trailing by two in the fifth, Salt Lake struck for two singles, a double, a home run, a walk, and a sacrifice to blow the game wide open. The big hit came with two outs, after two runs had already crossed home to tie the score, Alfredo Marte hit a 3-run homer to left to give the Bees a 6-3 lead.

Coming off a 2-for-4 night with a homer and 3 RBIs Friday, Parker continued to swing a hot bat as he went 3-for-4 with 2 doubles and a run scored. In his last seven games, Parker has hit safely in six of them. The River Cats combined for 9 hits on the night, but went just 2-for-8 with runners in scoring position.

Left-hander Ty Blach (9-9, 4.27) started out the night looking strong up until the fifth inning rally. He finished the night allowing 6 runs on 9 hits, walking 2 and striking out 3. The 6 runs are the most Blach has allowed in his last six starts. During that time, Blach held a record of 4-1, with an ERA of 4.00.

Blach had started the night with a lead before ever stepping on the mound. With two out in the top of the first, designated hitter Juan Perez narrowly got over the left field wall for his fourth home run of the year. However, the lead did not last long as the Bees muscled together three singles in the second to even the score. Sacramento led twice in the game, but each time the lead lasted no more than one inning.

Right-hander Alex Sanabia (2-10, 7.32) got the starting nod for Salt Lake, and even with the first inning run, was able to pick up his second win of the year. Sanabia went 6 innings, allowing 4 runs on 7 hits, surrendering 1 walk while striking out 5.

Salt Lake payed homage to former Pacific Coast League team the Salt Lake Gulls on Saturday with a "Turn Back the Clock Night". The Bees changed their names to the 'Gulls' for the night and donned bright orange and green throwback uniforms.

Sacramento will send former first round pick RHP Chris Stratton (1-3, 3.02) to the mound tomorrow night for the second game of this four game series. Stratton is coming off a win his last time out, the first win he has received in his Triple-A career. Salt Lake has yet to announce a starting pitcher for Sunday. Game time is scheduled for 12:05 p.m. (PT) and can be heard live on rivercats.com as well as ESPN 1320.

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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.