Bats Silent as River Cats Fall to Bees

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The Sacramento River Cats fell by a score of 2-0 to the visiting Salt Lake Bees and starting pitcher Andrew Heaney in Friday night's contest at Raley Field.

The River Cats fell behind early when the Bees' Alfredo Marte doubled to lead off the second inning. River Cats starter Braulio Lara got the next two batters to ground out, but both advanced Marte, who scored when Bees second basemen Josh Rutledge grounded into a fielders' choice. The run would be the only one the Bees would need, but Lara and the River Cats fell further behind when Bees catcher Carlos Perez led off the third inning with a solo home run to left field.

The two runs would be more than enough for Bees' starter Andrew Heaney. Heaney, ranked as Baseball America's number 42 prospect to start the 2015 season, demonstrated why on Friday night as he silenced the River Cats' bats. Over seven innings, Heaney gave up two hits while walking none and striking out eight. He threw 62 of his 91 pitches for strikes and didn't allow a runner past first base.

The River Cats managed only three hits - all singles - in the game. Andrew Susac, Ronny Cedeno, and Carlos Triunfel managed the only offense on the night. The River Cats as a team were 3-for-31 with 11 strikeouts. The pitching staff scattered six hits and three walks throughout the game, while striking out eight. Lara made his first start since 2012 and Hunter Strickland made his Triple-A debut, facing two batters and retiring them both.

Game three of this four game series takes place tomorrow at Raley Field with first pitch at 7:05 p.m. The River Cats' LHP Tyson Blach (0-0, No ERA) will take the mound and make this Triple-A debut. The Bees will counter with RHP Nick Tropeano (0-0, No ERA).  

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The Sacramento River Cats are the Triple-A affiliate of the 2014 World Champion San Francisco Giants. The team plays at Raley Field in West Sacramento, consistently voted one of the top ballparks in America. River Cats Season Tickets, Mini-Plans, and Flex Plans can be purchased for the 2015 season by calling the River Cats Ticket Hotline at (916) 371-HITS (4487). For more information about the River Cats, visit www.rivercats.com. For information on other events at Raley Field, visit www.raleyfield.com.