Williamson and Schroder homer in slugfest with Omaha

WEST SACRAMENTO, CA -Despite scoring four late runs, the Sacramento River Cats (43-61) came up short in an ugly game against the Omaha Storm Chasers (47-56). Giants second baseman Joe Panik played the first five innings while rehabbing a groin injury which he suffered on July 6.

After allowing three runs (one earned) in the first inning, River Cats starter Shaun Anderson recovered to put up zeros in each of the next three innings. Anderson's fastball velocity hovered around 92 MPH for most of the night. Things unraveled late, however, as the right-hander allowed two runs in the fifth and four in the sixth. Anderson finished with nine runs (six earned) in eight hits in six innings, with three walks and two strikeouts.
Trailing 3-0 in the first inning, Panik smacked a single and Mac Williamson followed with a towering home run to dead center-field to cut the deficit to 3-2. Sacramento would tie the game in the second when Myles Schroder hit a solo shot to left field.
Omaha led 10-3 in the seventh, but the River Cats offense made an attempt at a comeback with a pair of runs in the seventh and eighth innings before running out of gas in the ninth.
The River Cats take on a new opponent tomorrow as they welcome the Iowa Cubs to Raley Field for a four-game series. Right-hander Tyler Herb (1-2, 6.66) makes his first start at home since April 13 and Iowa will counter with fellow righty Trevor Clifton (1-2, 3.29). 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, and on the air on Money 105.FM.
Additional Notes
· Williamson and Schroder's long balls in the first and second innings marks the fifth time this season the River Cats have homered in consecutive innings and the first time since July 5.
· Thursday was the tenth time the River Cats have committed three or more errors as a team this season, and they are 3-7 in those games.