Early Lead Not Large Enough for Cats Against Isotopes

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Four runs over the first two innings were not enough for the Sacramento River Cats to snap their three-game losing streak on Tuesday, as the Albuquerque Isotopes scored 11 straight runs leading to a 11-7 defeat for Sacramento in the series opener.

In their opening set of swings the River Cats (14-20/58-51) took the advantage, putting each of the first four batters on base thanks to a Wade Meckler leadoff single and three consecutive walks. The last of those walks was issued to Trenton Brooks, earning him an RBI. Meanwhile, a run also came into score on a Hunter Bishop double play, while Will Wilson drove home the final run with an RBI single into center.

Sacramento followed that up another run in the top of the second, turning a Donovan Walton single that opened the frame into a run when Villar singled to left field with two outs.

However, it was not enough to keep pace with the Isotopes (15-19/41-68) as they scored 11 times from the third through the sixth, twice scoring four runs in those last two innings. Three home runs helped kickstart the offense, as Greg Jones’ eighth homer of the year put Albuquerque on the board while Elehuris Montero and Sean Bouchard went back-to-back in the fifth, the first of which from Montero was a three-run blast.

All three home runs were allowed by Sacramento starter Carson Seymour (4-9), matching his season high and forcing him from the ballgame after 4.0 innings. While he did match a season-high with eight strikeouts, tonight was the third time in the past four outings in which he has allowed nine hits.

A small rally was forged in the top of the eighth for the River Cats with Walton once again getting things started, this time lining a double into left center. A single from Christian Koss put runners at the corners allowing Walton to score on a Meckler ground out, while Grant McCray cleared the bases with one swing by crushing his fifth homer of the year. It also extended his hitting streak to 12 games, with McCray batting .308 (16-for-52) over that time.

Despite that, the River Cats have still lost four in a row, their fifth time doing so this season. Sacramento had won nine of 12 games coming out of the All-Star break, but have now overall are still just 11-14 over their past 25 games.

Walton ended his night a perfect 4-for-4, his second time doing so this season as he also closed out a game perfect at the dish with four knocks on April 21 at Oklahoma City. Walton is seeing the ball well once again, going 7-for-12 (.583) over his past three games.

Meanwhile, Koss was the other to have a pair of knocks and was 2-for-5 with a run scored, while Bishop and Walton each had a double.

Sacramento will look to snap its losing streak when the two teams line up for game two of this series at 5:35 p.m. (PT) on Wednesday.