Gerber stays hot against Isotopes but River Cats drop opener

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- The Sacramento River Cats (66-60) were bested by seven-year Major League veteran Chris Rusin in Monday night's series opener with the Albuquerque Isotopes (54-72) by a final score of 4-1.
The Albuquerque left-hander tossed 7.2 innings of one-run ball, holding the River Cats to just five hits. Right fielder Mike Gerber, though, kept his torrid pace while facing Isotopes pitching in 2019. With a double and a home run on Monday night, Gerber now has 26 hits in 13 games against Albuquerque this season, including five doubles, a triple, and nine home runs.
Gerber's seventh-inning long ball put him at 64 extra-base hits on the season, which broke a franchise record previously set back in the club's inaugural season when Jose Ortiz totaled 63.
The River Cats will welcome back right-hander Shaun Anderson (2-1, 4.11), who will be making a rehab start with Sacramento. The Isotopes will counter with righty Tim Melville (10-5, 5.42). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. (PT). Listen to all of the action live online at rivercats.com, on the MiLB First Pitch app, and on Money 105.5 FM.
Additional Notes
• Gerber, along with his team-leading 26th home run, raked his 37th double of the season, putting him four two-baggers away from tying a 15-year old franchise record set by Mike Edwards back in 2004.
• Chase Johnson returned to the River Cats staff after spending nearly four months with the Double-A Richmond Flying Squirrels. The Giants' third-rounder from the 2013 draft, who was on the River Cats' opening-day roster and appeared in four games before being transferred to Richmond, struck out four and allowed three earned in 4.2 innings in Monday night's start.