Struggles against Bees continue, Sacramento swept again

WEST SACRAMENTO, CA - Sacramento found themselves on the wrong end of a sweep for the second time in a week, dropping four straight to the Salt Lake Bees at Raley Field on Monday afternoon. The River Cats have now dropped eight straight to Salt Lake and will welcome in a change of opponents as the Las Vegas 51s come to town for a four game set starting tomorrow.   

It was rough from the start for Sacramento. Starting pitcher Ty Blach was looking to build off a strong start in Las Vegas where he threw six innings of one-run ball, but instead found himself behind 2-0 after a long first inning. Blach lasted just three innings this afternoon, allowing five runs (all earned) on seven hits and three walks. He needed 77 pitches (50 strikes) and didn't receive any support defensively or offensively.

Behind him, the Sacramento defense committed two errors in a game for the fifth time this season. In such games, Sacramento is now 1-4. Overall, the River Cats are 1-5 when committing an error. Salt Lake took advantage of River Cats mental errors, as well, taking unoccupied bases and advancing on unnecessary throws numerous times.

The offense sputtered throughout the afternoon, scattering six hits across the first seven innings. Both River Cats runs on the day came on bases-loaded walks. George Kottaras drew a walk in the eighth to push across the first run while Jarrett Parker worked a walk in the ninth to bring home Gorkys Hernandez.  

With the sweep, the River Cats have now been swept by the same team twice in a season for the first time in team history. Sacramento suffered back-to-back sweeps last season as a part of a 10-game losing streak before sweeping three straight series as a part of a record-setting 13-game win streak.

Sacramento will look forward to their next series as the Las Vegas 51s come to town for four games starting tomorrow night. Sacramento and Las Vegas split a four game series last week at Cashman Field and the River Cats will look to hit the reset button at home. In 2015, the River Cats were 8-8 against Las Vegas.

They'll look to get things started behind right-hander Chris Stratton (0-2, 9.82). In his first River Cats start last season, Stratton shutout the Bees for eight innings, unfortunately taking a no decision as Sacramento lost in extras. Right-hander Seth Lugo (1-1, 5.40) will go for Las Vegas. 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.