River Cats hold on through odd night in Albuquerque
Albuquerque, NM - The Sacramento River Cats (51-61) took their momentum on the road with them in their 10-8 victory over the Albuquerque Isotopes (48-62) Wednesday night. It was all about the offense tonight, who were able to overcome an early four-run deficit and outslug their opponents in a combined 28 hit night for both clubs.
After a string of solid starts by Sacramento starters, Joan Gregorio could not keep the pattern going. The tall right-hander struggled with his control and threw 63 pitches in just two innings and only 35 for strikes (56%). He allowed five runs, all earned, on seven hits with two walks and a season-low one strikeout in his brief outing.
The Isotopes took advantage of Sacramento's pitching woes for an early lead. After scoring two in the first, they capitalized on back-to-back walks from Gregorio to open the second. With the bases-loaded and no outs, they added three more runs on three hits. That was all for Gregorio, who handed the ball over to submarine pitcher Tyler Rogers. This was the first outing for Rogers against the Isotopes and his longest relief appearance this year with Sacramento. He went three innings, allowing one run on three hits with two walks and three strikeouts.
Although the Isotopes took the night early, the River Cats fought their way back. Solo shots from Gorkys Hernandez and Austin Slater gave the team their first two runs before small ball gave them the 7-6 lead in the sixth. The catalyst for the five-run inning was a leadoff double from Hernandez. Then, back-to-back singles from Travis Ishikawa and Miguel Olivo drove in two more, before Chris Denorfia busted through with a three-run homer to give the 'Cats the their final lead on the game.
Oddly enough though, Denorfia would not have seen the plate at all had Jarett Parker had not been tossed after striking out in the fourth. Denorfia finished 2-for-3 with a run and four RBI, his third multi-RBI night with Sacramento. To add to the odd events on the night, a hot night at the plate for Hernandez was cut short after suffering an injury to his left knee in the sixth. After being examined by trainer L.J. Petra, he was able to walk to the dugout on his own strength - a good sign for the River Cats. The centerfielder is hitting .299 and finished tonight 2-for-3 with a run and an RBI.
The eccentric night continued with action from the bullpen. Alex Torres and Jake Dunning came in to relieve Rogers and combined to allow two runs on four hits. However, the most impressive move from Torres came at the plate where he smacked a double for his first professional hit in five at bats spread out over 11 years. Jean Machi then came in with two outs and one on in the ninth. He struck out the final batter on the night to secure his seventh save and the fourth straight win for Sacramento.
The River Cats send southpaw Ty Blach (11-6, 3.54) to the mound tomorrow to continue his chain of solid starts. He opposes Isotopes' right-hander Shane Carle (4-8, 6.06). First pitch is set for 6:05 p.m. (PT) and can be heard live online at rivercats.com.
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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 2016 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.