Calhoun’s 2 RBIs, Hjelle’s 6 Ks over 5.0 shutout innings earn River Cats series split vs El Paso

West Sacramento, Calif. — A masterful start from righty Sean Hjelle and designated hitter Willie Calhoun’s strong day at the plate were enough to power the Sacramento River Cats (30-42) to a series split with a 5-3 victory over the El Paso Chihuahuas (40-32) on Sunday.

Hjelle was dominant in his return to the Sacramento rotation. The 25-year-old struck out six while allowing just two hits and zero walks across 5.0 shutout innings.

First baseman Austin Dean broke the scoreless tie with a fourth-inning RBI double to plate third baseman David Villar. One batter later, the newly-acquired Calhoun knocked in catcher Joey Bart and Dean with his second single of the day, and first two RBIs for Sacramento.

After El Paso stormed lefty Matt Hall (1-1) with three runs in the sixth to tie the game, the River Cats quickly regained the lead thanks to an RBI single by shortstop Arquímedes Gamboa and a sacrifice fly by rehabbing San Francisco left fielder LaMonte Wade Jr.

Following the off day, left-hander Enmanuel De Jesus (3-1, 4.27) will kick off the River Cats’ three-game series in Reno on Tuesday. He’ll take on righty Ryne Nelson (5-5, 6.21) at 6:35 p.m. (PT). Listen to Johnny Doskow call the game online at rivercats.com or on the MiLB First Pitch app.

Additional Notes

• Calhoun finished the day 3-for-4 with a run and two RBIs, while Dean went 1-for-3 with two runs, a walk, and an RBI.
• Center fielder Bryce Johnson walked three times in four plate appearances.
• Right-handers Cody Carroll, Kervin Castro, and Mauricio Llovera, who earned the save, slammed the door shut for Sacramento with a shutout inning each to close out the win. The trio combined to strike out four with three base-runners allowed.