River Cats too little, too late in 8-7 loss to Cubs
West Sacramento, CA - Game two between the Sacramento River Cats (58-67) and Iowa Cubs (56-69) turned into a back-and-forth bout Wednesday night as both teams combined to rack up 23 hits. Ultimately, a big fifth inning spelled doom once again for the River Cats as an offensive rally late in the game came up just a little short in their 8-7 loss.
Right-hander Albert Suarez was on the hill for Sacramento, coming off a career-best 11 strikeout performance in his last outing against Omaha. The Triple-A rookie started well enough, allowing two runs on two hits through the first four frames despite a tight strike zone from home plate umpire Junior Valentine. A day after giving up five runs in the fifth, the fifth inning proved to be the River Cats downfall as they watched their 3-2 lead slip away.
After giving up back-to-back singles to begin the inning, Suarez was able to record back-to-back outs with one of them a sacrifice fly to tie the game at three. The Venezuelan-native couldn't get out of the inning though, allowing the next five Cubs' hitters reached base safely. When all was said and done, Iowa pushed across six runs on six hits - five of which were singles - and sent a total of 10 men to the plate to take an 8-3 lead.
The game seemed well out of reach as Sacramento came to the plate in the sixth, but the River Cats bats would be up to the challenge. Second baseman Grant Green was the catalyst of the three-run frame, singling through the hole at short for his second hit of the game. Catcher Tony Sanchez drove him in two batters later, notching his third RBI of the season and second in as many games. Centerfielder and Sacramento stalwart Gorkys Hernandez drove in the third run of the inning, his team-leading 48th RBI of the year and gave new life to the River Cats.
Sacramento struck for one more run in the seventh, making the score 8-7. Right fielder Austin Slater got the inning started with a single to right field, the 12th River Cats hit of the game. One batter later, shortstop Ruben Tejada drove him in, doubling to the wall in right-centerfield, his third double in as many games.
Both teams were held scoreless in the eighth with left-hander Steven Okert throwing a perfect top of the ninth before Sacramento took their last hacks. The River Cats went quietly however and although they went 5-for-9 with runners in scoring position, they also left eight men on base
Right-hander Clayton Blackburn (6-9, 4.56) will take the hill for Sacramento tomorrow as they look for their first win this series. The Texas-native is 1-2 with a 3.15 ERA in three August starts. His adversary will be Cubs southpaw Rob Zastryzny (7-3, 4.33) who is 3-0 in three starts this month. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. (PT) and the game can be heard live online at rivercats.com and on the air on ESPN 1320.
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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.