Close Contest Concludes in Favor of Cats, 3-2

TACOMA, Wash. – Both the Sacramento River Cats and Tacoma Rainiers produced a two-run frame that kept the game level heading into the latter third, but it was Sacramento that delivered in the clutch when Luis Matos singled home a run in the seventh for a 3-2 win over Tacoma on Friday.

It was the River Cats (33-34) that broke the scoreless tie first, plating the game’s first run when Grant McCray kicked off the frame with his eighth homer of the season. His solo dinger came in a full count, depositing the ball to right-center against Rainiers (31-36) starter Jhonathan Díaz.

Shortly after Marco Luciano doubled to center field and promptly stole third base to sit just 90 feet from scoring. It did take long for him to head home, as Devin Mann singled into left field for his first RBI in the month of June.

Sacramento’s advantage lasted just one inning as Tacoma found a way to level in the top of the sixth. Rhylan Thomas put himself in scoring position with a double to left field and was later joined on base when Spencer Packard walked. Just after, Tyler Locklear lined a ball towards center that found a gap and scored both runners.

After threatening but failing to score in the sixth, Sacramento delivered in the clutch during the seventh thanks to Luis Matos. Sergio Alcántara singled to right center and quickly moved to second on a sacrifice bunt from Zach Morgan, finally scoring when Matos squeaked a ball through the left side of the infield to bring the game to its final of 3-2.

Carson Seymour earned the start for the River Cats and dazzled despite leaving with a no decision, allowing two runs on six hits in 5.2 innings. By the end of his outing, he carved up nine batters, his new season high, while walking just one.

Coming in to pick up the win was Antonio Jimenez (2-2), who went 1.1 scoreless innings with one hit and two strikeouts. On for the save was Kai-Wei Teng (S, 2), earning his second in three chances by allowing one hit and striking out two over 2.0 innings.

Eight of nine River Cats to come to the plate left with a hit, though just Grant McCray and Zach Morgan were the only two with a multi-hit game. For McCray he closed 2-for-4 with his solo homer, while Morgan earned his first two Triple-A hits in his first two plate appearances.

This win levels the series at two games apiece, and the two teams will try to take an advantage in game five of the set on Saturday from Cheney Stadium at 6:05 p.m. (PT).