McCray RBI Double Lone Tally in Sacramento Defeat on Sunday

SALT LAKE CITY – Four homers and nine runs in the first two innings by their opponent was too much to overcome, as the Sacramento River Cats closed their long trip on the road with a 11-1 defeat at the hands of the Salt Lake Bees in the series finale between the two teams on Sunday.

River Cats (36-39) starter Juan Mercedes (1-4) was tagged for a season high nine runs in just those two innings, though it was one shy of the River Cats season high. What was a new mark by a Sacramento hurler on the day was the four homers Mercedes allowed, which is the most by a River Cats pitcher since Michael Plassmeyer yielded five dingers on April 28, 2022 against Albuquerque.

While the bullpen limited the Bees (29-45) to just two runs from the third through the eighth, including the fifth and final homer of the Salt Lake afternoon by Yolmer Sánchez, the Sacramento offense could not muster much despite having few chances.

One of those opportunities included the sixth inning when they had runners at second and third with no outs but saw three consecutive strikeouts bring an end to the frame without damage.

Sacramento avoided the shutout with a run in the top of the eighth, using an RBI double from Grant McCray that scored Zach Morgan, who had reached with a two-bagger of his own to open the inning. It was one of two hits on the day for Morgan, who recorded his third multi-hit effort in four games played with Sacramento and is batting .400 (6-for-15).

Outside of McCray and Morgan, Sacramento had just three other hits with two coming from Drew Ellis, who was 2-for-4 with a double. Also logging a hit was Wade Meckler, who was 1-for-4 with a walk.

For the first time since the first day in June, the River Cats will return to Sacramento to play a contest at Sutter Health Park when they open a six-game set with the Oklahoma City Comets on Tuesday, June 24 at 6:45 p.m. (PT).