Romero's gutsy effort undone in five-run sixth

WEST SACRAMENTO, CA - The River Cats' struggles against Salt Lake continued Saturday night at Raley Field in front of nearly 13,000. Ricky Romero put forth a gutsy performance for Sacramento, but despite his best efforts and a four-run lead, Sacramento fell 10-5 to Salt Lake.  

Romero battled in this one, pitching admirably in what was just his second Triple-A outing since 2014. The veteran left-hander tossed four innings, giving up four runs on five hits and two walks while striking out three. Romero is still building his arm strength in the early going of the season and climbed to 78 pitches in the outing (up from 62 in his previous start). The former Toronto ace and 2011 All-Star is looking to regain some of the touch that made him a top pitcher just a few years ago.

The offense staked Romero to a nice four-run lead early, plating four men through the first three innings, thanks in part to some timely hitting and some sloppy play by the Bees. Miguel Olivo came up with a clutch two-out, two-run double in the third, part of what was a three-run inning for Sacramento. The team's first run came in the first inning when Conor Gillaspie scampered home from third after an errant pickoff throw to first base.

For the night, Gillaspie continued his hot hitting, going 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Over his last four games, the left-handed hitter is 9-for-17 with five runs scored, two doubles, a home run, and three RBI. He has surpassed both Hak-Ju Lee and Ramiro Pena for the team leader in batting average at .324.

Unfortunately, Sacramento's cushion wasn't enough and the four-run head start was undone in a five-run Salt Lake fifth. After allowing a leadoff single, Romero was pulled in favor of the young right-hander Albert Suarez. Suarez immediately fell behind, walking his first batter. On the next play, Suarez threw to an uncovered third base, allowing two more to score, and the rally was on for Salt Lake. The Bees scored five times in the inning and never looked back, adding another in the sixth and a final run in the ninth.

The two teams will square off again tomorrow for a Sunday matinee - first pitch at 1:05 p.m. Clayton Blackburn (0-1, 3.00) will get the ball for Sacramento. Blackburn missed his last start due to illness, but made a brief, one-inning relief appearance on Thursday, throwing a perfect inning in Las Vegas. For Salt Lake, it will be left-hander Nate Smith (1-0, 0.84). Smith is the number three prospect in the Angels system and shut down the River Cats in their first meeting. First pitch is set for 1:05 p.m. and the game can be heard live online at rivercats.com and on the air on 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 2016 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.