Sacramento Scores Early, Outlasts Salt Lake 8-4

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Action came early and often for the Sacramento River Cats in their Friday faceoff against the Salt Lake Bees, scoring three times in the first and five times in the third, including the third home run in as many days for Tyler Fitzgerald as the River Cats secured an 8-4 victory.

From the first pitch by Bees (16-21) starter Kenny Rosenberg (1-3), the River Cats (18-19) were ready to swing the lumber as they opened the home half of the first with a pair of singles from Cal Stevenson and Tyler Fitzgerald, the latter of which was a bunt single. Both later executed a double steal, which allowed Stevenson to score on an RBI groundout by Clint Coulter to give Coulter his first RBI in 10 games.

A walk to Shane Matheny kept runners at the corners with only one out, until Matheny swiped the third bag of the frame for Sacramento, which was already their most in a single game this season. The River Cats then benefitted from a Salt Lake error at third with two outs on a ground ball hit by Ricardo Genoves, scoring another run and keeping the frame alive for a two-out RBI single down the right field line by Ford Proctor to quickly make the game 3-0.

Sacramento starter Keaton Winn made quick work in the first, getting through the side in order after an infield single that deflected off Winn was erased on a double play thanks to a caught stealing following a strikeout. The second inning ended in the exact same fashion following a leadoff double by Kevin Padlo, as he was later thrown out at third following Winn’s fourth punchout through six outs.

Striking back in the third was Salt Lake when Preston Palmeiro put them on the board with one swing, sending a ball to straightaway center for his first home run of the season. However, the Sacramento offense remained in gear as they got the run back and then some in their turn at the dish.

Drawing his second walk of the game, Matheny reached just prior to a deep double to left field by Genoves, putting both in scoring position for the second RBI knock of the night by Proctor which scored Matheny. Not waiting long was Genoves, who crossed the plate two batters later on a sacrifice fly from Michael Gigliotti.

Now battling with two outs, the River Cats’ rally stayed alive when Stevenson drew a walk to keep a pair aboard for Tyler Fitzgerald, who delivered his third blast in as many games as he rocketed a ball over the fence in left center to make the game 8-1.

That big fly marked the fourth consecutive game with a home run for Sacramento, their longest such streak since they achieved the feat toward the end of last season from Sept. 23-27. Individually for Fitzgerald, he became the first River Cat to homer in three consecutive contests since Yermin Mercedes did so from Sept. 21-24 of last year.

During the fourth, Winn ran into a bit of a jam when he issued a pair of free passes with one out, but was able to record his fifth strikeout before inducing a fly ball to get out of the inning. That would be the last bit of work for Winn, who left with a no decision but tallied five punchouts for the third time in his last four outings.

On to work the fifth and sixth innings was Nick Avila (5-0), who faced just the minimum six hitters in his two innings of work while striking out three to set his new season high. Following was Clay Helvey, who immediately allowed a double and walk to start the frame. A double play ball had the River Cats one out from escaping the inning, but three consecutive two-out hits with the last an RBI double from Jared Oliva that deflected off the glove of a leaping Fitzgerald cut the deficit to just 8-4 before the inning’s final out.

Ryan Walker entered in the eighth seeking to get the game close to the finish line but exited after just 0.2 innings when a Trey Cabbage double moved a pair of runners into scoring position. Aiming to avoid another two-out rally, Sacramento turned to lefty Erik Miller who was able to get Jordyn Adams swinging, keeping the score locked.

Returning for the ninth, Miller sent the crowd home happy by retiring the side in order, notching his first career Triple-A save by officially going 1.1 hitless innings with a trio of strikeouts.

Sacramento produced eight runs on seven hits, but also had a good eye at the dish as they earned an additional seven base runners via free passes. Fitzgerald stayed hot with his second multi-hit contest in his nine games with the River Cats, going 2-for-4 with a pair of runs scored, three RBI on his blast, and a walk. Proctor also came up with a 2-for-3 effort in the game, generating a pair of RBI singles while also scoring and walking once.

Having now clinched at least a split of this six-game series, Sacramento will look to capture a second consecutive series win when these two teams battle again at 6:37 p.m. on Saturday from Sutter Health Park.