Alcántara goes yard again, River Cats drop 6th straight

Salt Lake City, Utah — The Sacramento River Cats (23-33) could not overcome the early 4-0 deficit, falling to the Salt Lake Bees (29-27) on Saturday for their season-high sixth straight loss.

The River Cats threatened at the end, bringing the tying run to the plate in the ninth inning in the form of catcher Fabian Peña. Shortstop Arismendy Alcántara led off the inning with a single and scored on center fielder Bryce Johnson’s one-out triple. After third baseman Will Toffey struck out, Peña promptly drove the first pitch to deep left field, but the ball died just a few feet short of the wall and landed in the glove of a leaping Scott Schebler to end the game.

Sacramento starter Gerson Garabito (0-3), who entered the night having never surrendered more than two runs in a game, was tagged for four runs on seven hits and two walks. Outside of the three-run second inning, Garabito looked good, striking out a season-high six in 4.0 innings.

Alcántara continued to burn his former organization going 2-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored. He kicked off the offense with a team-leading 11th home run, his third home run in as many days, and the fifth against the Bees this season. The switch-hitter signed with the Los Angeles Angels in December of 2019 and would have likely played for the Salt Lake Bees before the 2020 Minor League season was canceled.

Outside of Alcántara’s home run, the River Cats could not muster up much against Salt Lake left-hander Dillon Peters (2-2), who forced nine ground outs in 6.0 innings.

Veteran left-hander Scott Kazmir (2-1, 3.80) looks to play stopper with a win over left-hander Thomas Pannone (2-5, 7.55) at 12:05 p.m. (PT) on Sunday. Listen to Johnny Doskow call the game online at rivercats.com or on the MiLB First Pitch app.

Additional Notes

• The River Cats’ bullpen was excellent on Saturday, allowing just one hit in 4.0 shutout innings. Left-hander Luis González struck out two in 2.0 innings. Right-hander Jay Jackson threw another zero, bringing his season total to 10.0 scoreless. Right-hander Silvino Bracho bookended the effort with a perfect eighth.
• Rehabbing San Francisco outfielder Mike Tauchman lined an opposite field double in the third inning to highlight a 1-for-3 day, while fellow rehabber, second baseman Tommy La Stella, was 0-for-2.