Cats Crush Three Homers, but Aces Control Final Innings

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – A trio of home runs had the Sacramento River Cats sitting pretty through four innings, but the Reno Aces scored all 16 of their runs from the fifth inning on to steal a 16-6 contest from Sacramento on Wednesday.

It was Marco Luciano who starter the game’s scoring, putting the River Cats (14-15) on the board first with a two-run homer that he crushed on an 0-1 offering. Scoring on the play was Grant McCray, who did his job as a leadoff hitter and earned his way aboard with a walk.

Two innings later was when Brett Wisely launched his solo homer in the top of the third, sending his own 0-1 offering over the wall in right field. For both Luciano and Wisely it was their fifth homer of the year, both tied for the team lead.

In the fourth Hunter Bishop joined the dinger party, crushing his fourth of the season out to right field. Just like the two prior River Cats home runs it came with one away in the inning, though Bishop hit his big fly on a 1-1 pitch.

In the fifth the Aces (16-13) finally reached the scoreboard, plating a run in each the fifth and sixth, eventually taking the lead in the seventh thanks to a grand slam from A.J. Vukovich. It was the first four of seven RBI in the game for Vukovich, making him the first player to drive in seven or more runs against the River Cats since Hunter Dozier drove in a record nine runs for the Bees against the River Cats on May 7, 2024 in a 15-2 loss at Salt Lake.

Additionally, this was the second straight contest in which the River Cats surrendered a grand slam, the first time they have done so since they allowed a pair in two straight games at the hands of the Round Rock Express during a pair of losses on April 17 and 18, 2023.

Ready to answer was the River Cats, who found a way to claw back two runs and tied the game at 6-6 at the end of the sixth. Striking was Wisely, sent a 2-2 pitch to straightaway center field, though this time it bounced over the wall to score a pair of runs. Had the ball stayed in the park, Sacramento would have seen a third run score from first to give them the lead.

From that point forward it was all Reno, who responded with five runs in both the eighth and ninth innings to put the game on ice. Featured in the 10-run explosion was the third homer of the season of the season for Aramis Garcia, while Blaze Alexander drove in three of his four runs during that time.

Though he did not factor into the decision, left-hander Kyle Harrison pitched beautifully as he allowed just one run on six hits over five innings, striking out seven without a walk. The only run that he allowed was a bit of tough luck, as a pop up in shallow center field was lost in the sky and fell for an RBI double.

Taking the loss for Sacramento was Justin Garza (1-2), who was shelled for five runs on five hits in just two-thirds of an inning.

Wisely had the best night of the River Cats at the dish, closing the game with three hits that included his homer and RBI double for a total of three RBI. Luciano extended his reached base safely streak to 15 games with his homer in the first, ultimately ending the night 1-for-4.

Down 2-0 in the series, Sacramento looks to stop the slide when the two teams face off for game three of their set on Thursday at 6:45 p.m. (PT) from Sutter Health Park.