With Ball Flying, River Cats Unable To Keep Up

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The ball was flying on a hot night at Raley Field, as the River Cats and Rainiers totaled three homers and four extra-base hits Monday night. Despite leaving the yard twice, the River Cats couldn't keep up with Tacoma as they took the loss, 7-3.

Jarrett Parker got the River Cats on the board with his 12th home run of the season, a solo-shot in the fifth inning. Parker, who is now on pace for 30 home runs this season, is second on the team in home runs (12) and RBIs (36). He is now also tied for third in the PCL, trailing only Fresno's Jon Singleton (14) and his teammate Adam Duvall (13).

The second River Cats' home run came off the bat of first baseman Travis Ishikawa. His sixth inning homer to deep left-center was just the first of his season and his first since his historic series-clinching, walk-off home run in Game 5 of the 2014 NLCS. His blast moved the River Cats within one but that was as close as they would get to catching Tacoma.

The Rainiers put the first run on the board, moving the River Cats to 10-21 when their opponent scores first. Tacoma scored their first run in the top of the first inning, stringing together a walk and two singles, all with two outs. They added two more in the sixth on a two-run single from Patrick Kivlehan and took control of the game on a John Hicks three-run shot in the top of the eighth inning. The home run, his fourth of the year, put Tacoma ahead 6-2. They scored another in the ninth when a pop up fell between three River Cats fielders in shallow left-center, plating Leon Landry from second.

Sacramento's third run came in the bottom of the eighth on a Juan Perez groundout, scoring Duvall from third. Outfielder Ryan Lollis also had a strong night at the plate for the River Cats, going 3-for-4 and raising his batting average to .417.

Ty Blach (5-6, 3.74) took the loss for Sacramento, falling to 5-6 on the season. He tossed 5 1/3 innings and allowed 3 runs on 7 hits. He walked 2 and struck out just 1, tying his lowest mark for the season. Tacoma's Sam Gaviglio (6-4, 4.17) picked up the win after throwing 6 innings and allowing just 2 runs on 6 hits. He struck out 8 and walked none.

The River Cats have been outhit by Tacoma 30-15 through the first three games of this series. Sacramento will look to spark the offense in tomorrow night's finale.

Clayton Blackburn (2-3, 4.50) will look to lead the River Cats to a series split as Forrest Snow (3-4, 2.66) will try to seal the series win for Tacoma. Blackburn is still searching for his first home victory. He's 0-2 at home this season, but has posted a 3.60 ERA. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.

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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.