Tolman’s ninth-inning triple seals getaway win

(Ralph Thompson Photo)

June 9, 2021

Reno, Nev. — The Sacramento River Cats (13-17) will hop on the bus back to California with a series split against the first-place Reno Aces (19-11) thanks to a clutch ninth-inning hit. Shortstop Mitchell Tolman was laying in the weeds with two down in the ninth as he smoked the

Reno, Nev. — The Sacramento River Cats (13-17) will hop on the bus back to California with a series split against the first-place Reno Aces (19-11) thanks to a clutch ninth-inning hit.

Shortstop Mitchell Tolman was laying in the weeds with two down in the ninth as he smoked the first pitch he saw from Miguel Aguilar into the right-center field gap. It was Tolman’s second triple of the season and it scored Joe McCarthy to break the tie. Right-hander Silvino Bracho allowed a single in the bottom half of the inning but closed out his second game of the year.

The River Cats held the lead on three different occasions, first in the opening inning when third baseman Jason Krizan scored from second base following two consecutive wild pitches from Aces starter Zach Lee. Krizan would go on to finish the night 4-for-5 to raise his batting average 25 points. Sacramento would again go ahead by one in the seventh inning, this time courtesy of a two-run, opposite-field shot off the bat of catcher Joey Bart -- the fifth of the season for the Giants No. 2-ranked prospect.

After enjoying an off-day at home, the River Cats will travel to Tacoma to take on the Rainiers for the first time in 2021. Right-hander Tyler Beede, whose rehab stint with Sacramento was extended by 10 days this week, will be on the mound for the opener. The Rainiers have yet to name a starter. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. (PT). Listen to Johnny Doskow call the game online at rivercats.com or on the MiLB First Pitch app.

Additional Notes

Two rehabbing relievers made appearances for the River Cats on Tuesday night, including a surprise entrance for left-hander Caleb Baragar. He ended up beginning the game on the mound for Sacramento instead of the anticipated Anthony Banda. Baragar struck out two in a scoreless first before making way for Banda’s regularly-scheduled outing. Right-hander John Brebbia entered in the eighth and surrendered the tying run but did strike out three.
Reliever Sam Selman pinch-hit for Banda in the seventh, continuing manager Dave Brundage’s recent trend of using pitchers in a pinch-hit spot. It’s the fourth time it’s happened this season and it comes on the heels of Selman’s booming two-run double on Saturday night.