Cats Pounce Early, Close Series with Isotopes on High Note

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Though it could not prevent a series defeat, the Sacramento River Cats ended their series with the Albuquerque Isotopes on a high note by scoring all eight of their runs in the first three innings for an 8-4 win on Sunday evening.

For the second time in as many days Bryce Eldridge gave the River Cats (18-15/54-54) the early lead by leaving the yard in the first inning, once more crushing a two-run blast out to left-center field that had a 106.5 mph exit velocity and travelled a distance of 408 feet. Scoring on the play was Tyler Fitzgerald, who had worked a one-out walk.

The Isotopes (14-18/45-61) stole a run back in the home half of the frame, but Sacramento unleashed a four-run top of the second to take a commanding lead. Digging in with the bases loaded, Eldridge picked up his third RBI of the game with a sacrifice fly, but it was the duo of Jesus Rodriguez and Wade Meckler that came in clutch with a pair of singles to drive in the remaining three runs of the frame. For Rodriguez, it was his first Sacramento hit and RBI since being acquired in a trade with the New York Yankees at the trade deadline.

Both teams traded two-run innings in their next at-bats, the Isotopes doing so in the bottom of the second while the River Cats countered in the top of the third with an RBI groundout by Fitzgerald before Eldridge drove in his fourth run of the game on an RBI knock into right field.

That was the totality of the scoring for Sacramento, but they needed no more insurance as they allowed only single tallies in the fifth and eighth innings. That was due in part to River Cats pitching, as Trent Harris (3-1) worked 1.2 scoreless innings while facing the minimum with two strikeouts, as Miguel Díaz followed suit with 1.2 innings and one strikeout for his second save.

Eldridge closed the night 2-for-3 with a homer, four RBI and two walks. No. 1 San Francisco prospect has been on fire as of late, batting .298 (14-for-47) with 11 runs scored, seven homers, and 20 RBI in his past 12 games. Also collecting multiple hits was Drew Gilbert, his second straight multi-hit game by going 2-for-4 with one run scored and two walks. Meanwhile, Rodriguez ended his night 2-for-4 with run scored and an RBI.

The River Cats will look to turn the page when they return to Sacramento and begin a new six-game series with the Sugar Land Space Cowboys on Tuesday at 6:45 p.m. (PT) from Sutter Health Park.