Díaz, Dean homer, River Cats drop heartbreaker

Aviators 11, River Cats 10

River Cats second baseman Isan Díaz lines a two-run home in the third inning against Salt Lake Bees (5/28/22). (Ralph Thompson Photo)

By Maverick Pallack

June 5, 2022

Las Vegas, Nev. — After coming from behind down six, and notching go-ahead hits in the eighth and the ninth, the Sacramento River Cats (22-32) could not hold on, falling 11-10 in heartbreaking walk-off fashion to the Las Vegas Aviators (32-21) in Sunday’s series finale. Second baseman Jason Krizan ignited

Las Vegas, Nev. — After coming from behind down six, and notching go-ahead hits in the eighth and the ninth, the Sacramento River Cats (22-32) could not hold on, falling 11-10 in heartbreaking walk-off fashion to the Las Vegas Aviators (32-21) in Sunday’s series finale.

Second baseman Jason Krizan ignited the comeback in the sixth, tripling home two to get the River Cats on the board. Three pitches later, right fielder Austin Dean launched his 11th home run of the season 431 feet, with an exceptional 108.4 exit velocity.

In the seventh, third baseman Isan Díaz got Sacramento within one with a solo shot to center, his seventh of the season, before left fielder Ka’ai Tom tied the game in the eighth with an RBI groundout.

First baseman Michael Papierski doubled home Krizan and Dean to give Sacramento its first lead in the eighth, but the Aviators quickly responded with two runs of their own off righty Taylor Williams to tie the game.

Sacramento again took the lead in the ninth when Krizan hit an RBI double and Papierski walked with the bases loaded to make it 10-8. A two-run single by pinch-hitter Billy McKinney spoiled the comeback and swept the River Cats for the first time since April 16-18, 2019 vs Las Vegas.

Right-hander Tristan Beck (0-3, 8.20) looks to build off his 5.0 shutout innings last time, with a win in Tuesday’s series-opener against the Reno Aces. He’ll take on fellow youngster, righty Drey Jameson (0-3, 8.44) at 6:35 p.m. (PT). Listen to Johnny Doskow call the game online at rivercats.com or on the MiLB First Pitch app.

Additional Notes

Center fielder Heliot Ramos extended his hitting streak to six games with an eighth-inning single. The 22-year-old is 11-for-25 (.440) over that span.
Dean was an absolute force at the plate vs Las Vegas, going 11-for-19 (.579) with two doubles, two home runs, and seven RBIs in five games this series.
Right-hander Raynel Espinal struck out nine batters for the third time this year, but also surrendered a season-high nine hits, allowing six runs in 5.0 innings.
Rehabbing San Francisco outfielder Steven Duggar started at designated hitter, going 1-for-3 with a run scored.