Nine-run River Cats lead does not hold up in rough loss to Aviators

Las Vegas, Nevada - The Sacramento River Cats (36-36) jumped out to a 10-1 lead in the desert, but the Las Vegas Aviators (41-32) come all the way back to get the win 11-10 in walk-off fashion.
Every Sacramento starter picked up at least one hit in this one, with nine of their 12 total hits coming in the first two innings. Henry Ramos led off the second inning with a solo home run, and Aramis Garcia had the biggest hit of the night for the River Cats - a three-run shot to center field. However just two River Cats would reach base over the final 4.2 innings, as the Las Vegas bullpen was spectacular in relief of starter Paul Blackburn.
The River Cats built up a 10-1 lead going into the bottom of the fifth, but the Aviators would storm back, scoring ten unanswered runs in the final five frames. The Aviators tied the game against Fernando Abad in the ninth before walking off on a Corban Joseph RBI-single to center.
Starter Ty Blach took a no decision on Thursday, working 5.2 innings and allowing five runs. He sailed through five innings, but ran into trouble in the sixth and gave way to the bullpen.
The River Cats will be back at it tomorrow night, with young left-hander Conner Menez (0-0, 4.09) taking the ball and looking for his first Triple-A win of 2019. The Aviators will counter with righty Parker Dunshee (2-4, 5.20). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. (PT). Catch all of the action live online at rivercats.com, on the MiLB First Pitch app, or on Money 105.5 FM.
Additional Notes
• The River Cats piled up seven extra-base hits in their 11-10 loss on Thursday evening. Their season-high for extra base hits in a game is nine, which they set on May 6 in a 12-6 win over the Reno Aces.
• Sacramento is now 2-10 against Las Vegas this season, including 0-4 at the brand new Las Vegas Ballpark in Summerlin, NV. They move to 165-134 all-time versus the Las Vegas club.
• Sam Selman continued his recent dominance by retiring each of the four Aviators hitters he faced. The lefty has allowed just one hit in his last seven innings of work, while striking out 14 over that stretch. His ERA this season shrunk to an even 2.00.
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The Sacramento River Cats are the Triple-A affiliate of the three-time World Champion -San Francisco Giants. The team plays at Raley Field in West Sacramento, consistently voted one of the top ballparks in America. Season Tickets, Mini-Plans, and Flex Plans can be purchased for the River Cats' 20th season by calling the River Cats Ticket Hotline at (916) 371-HITS (4487). The only place to guarantee official River Cats tickets is at www.rivercats.com. For information on other events at Raley Field, visit www.raleyfield.com.