Sac snaps streak in heartbreaking fashion

West Sacramento, CA - The Sacramento River Cats (38-52) came into Saturday night's game looking to be within single digits of first place Tacoma for first time since May 31. In their 5-3 loss to the Rainiers (48-40), they not only saw the game slip through their fingers, but also a chance to climb closer in the Pacific Northern Division.

The Rainiers jumped out to an early lead in front of a sell-out Raley Field crowd, putting a three spot on the board in the first inning against Sacramento starter Chris Stratton. Tacoma catcher Mike Zunino hit his 16th home run of the year to punctuate Stratton's three run debacle, giving them the early lead. Prior to tonight's game, in three home starts, the right-hander had only allowed seven runs in 22 innings pitched.

Susac started the scoring for Sacramento in the second inning, smashing Rainiers' starter Zach Lee's 3-1 pitch 424 feet over the centerfield wall. The home run was his second in as many games and fourth on the year. The River Cats added two more runs in the third thanks to RBIs from third baseman Ali Castillo and first baseman Ryan Lollis, knotting the game at three runs apiece. Entering tonight's game, the River Cats held a 10-33 record when opponents scored first.

Both Stratton and Lee would leave the outcome of this one up to their respective bullpens, as the game would stay tied until the ninth inning.

For the second game in a row, the Rainiers tagged the River Cats bullpen for two runs, with tonight's damage being done once again by Zunino, launching a two-run shot over the left field fence for the winning runs. Right-hander Jean Machi was the culprit tonight, coming in for relief of left-hander Steven Okert in the ninth, allowing a double before serving up Zunino's second long ball of the game. On the night, Tacoma managed to get base runners in scoring positions in six of the nine innings.

Six of the Sacramento's seven hits tonight came in the first three innings of tonight's loss. Susac finished 2-for-4 with a run and RBI, extending his hitting streak to four games. Through the first three games of this series, the 26-year-old is now 5-for-12 (.416) with six RBI.

The River Cats will look to finish the first half of the season on a high note before the All-Star break. On the hill for Sacramento will be the young right-hander Joan Gregorio (2-4, 5.07) and for Tacoma it will be righty Jordan Pries (1-1, 4.26) making his second start this season (sixth game). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. (PT) and the game can be head 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.