Kitties Kept in Check by Rainiers on Wednesday

Villar, Walton Extend Respective Hitting Streaks

Donovan Walton delivers a pitch in the ninth inning of Sacramento's loss to Tacoma on Wednesday night. (Liam Sherry)

May 30, 2024

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Consecutive four-run innings set the tone early in game two between the Sacramento River Cats and the Tacoma Rainiers, as Tacoma ran away with a 9-2 victory at Sutter Health Park on Wednesday evening. Entering the game as the Triple-A ERA leader, River Cats’ (31-22) starter

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Consecutive four-run innings set the tone early in game two between the Sacramento River Cats and the Tacoma Rainiers, as Tacoma ran away with a 9-2 victory at Sutter Health Park on Wednesday evening.

Entering the game as the Triple-A ERA leader, River Cats’ (31-22) starter Tommy Romero (3-1) was tagged for four runs in each of the first two frames. It was the first time this season that Sacramento had allowed four runs in the first inning.

Three free passes to each of the first three hitters all came around to score, while a three-run homer from former River Cat Jason Vosler highlighted the second frame for the Rainiers (29-24). That was one of two extra-base hits for Vosler, who also drove in a run with a double in the first.

Sacramento was able to avoid the shutout with a pair of runs, one in each the fifth and seventh. Their first run crossed the plate on an RBI groundout from Donny Sands after David Villar walked and a Blake Sabol ground rule double moved both into scoring position. Meanwhile, the River Cats added another in the seventh on an RBI fielder’s choice from Brady Whalen.

That was all that the River Cats could muster, as they were just 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position and left six stuck on base. Charged with the loss for Sacramento was Romero, his first of the season. Tonight was the second straight start in which Romero allowed four runs or more, yielding a season-high eight runs on four hits with five walks.

One of the highlights of the night on the mound for Sacramento was Donovan Walton, who entered for his fifth pitching appearance of the season and the first since May 9 at Salt Lake. Thanks to his scoreless appearance, he has yet to allow an earned run this season over 7.0 combined innings of work.

Despite only scoring two runs, both Walton and Villar extended their respective hitting streaks. Walton became the second River Cat with a 10-game or longer hitting streak (along with Casey Schmitt), reaching the double-digit mark by going 1-for-4. For Villar, he pushed his out to eight games after he went 1-for-2 while scoring both Sacramento runs.

The River Cats will look to regain an edge in the series tomorrow, as game three gets underway from Sutter Health Park at 6:45 p.m.