Bishop, Johnson homer in walk-filled defeat

West Sacramento, CA. — Despite home runs from right fielder Braden Bishop and designated hitter Bryce Johnson, the Sacramento River Cats (26-35) were burned by two four-run innings, losing to the Round Rock Express (30-32) on Friday.

Bishop’s fifth home run of the season provided one of his two runs scored on the day, as the speedy outfielder went 2-for-5 and extended his season-high hitting streak to 11 games. Johnson’s home run was also his fifth of 2021, which ties his career-high set in 2019 with San Jose and Richmond.

Starter Gerson Garabito struggled with control in his 4.1 innings of work. The right-hander struck out six, but also allowed a season-high five walks and six runs, three coming on Round Rock first baseman Elier Hernandez’s moonshot three-run home run.

The River Cats retook the lead in the fourth inning, when Round Rock third baseman Ryan Dorow misplayed a grounder from Mauricio Dubón, which allowed Bishop to score from second.

A wild four-run fifth inning by Sacramento put the Express back on top. Left fielder Delino DeShields led the inning off with a four-pitch walk, stole second, and advanced to third on an errant throw by catcher Joey Bart, then tied the game when he scored on a strikeout in the dirt.

A single and two walks surrendered by reliever Yunior Marte (0-2) led to Hernandez’s second three-run hit of the day, a go-ahead double down the left field line past Dubón. Hernandez’s double proved to be the difference in the game, and also snapped the Sacramento bullpen’s 9.1 scoreless innings streak.

Sacramento has yet to announce its starter for Saturday. The TBD will be opposed by right-hander Tyler Phillips (0-3, 9.90). Watch live on CW31, or listen to all of the action live online at rivercats.com, and on the *MiLB First Pitch app. *

Additional Notes

• Left fielder Arismendy Alcántara plated the game’s first two runs when he blooped a single to center. The versatile switch-hitter is now third on the team with 35 RBIs.

• Bart threw out two would-be base-stealers on Friday, and left-hander Sam Selman (2.0 hitless innings) also picked one off. Bart also scored two runs on a 2-for-4 day.