Cats Overcome Comets with Three-Run Ninth for 6-4 Victory

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Down to their final two outs, the Sacramento River Cats flipped the switch when it counted as they unleashed their second three-run frame of the night during the ninth inning leading to a 6-4 Sacramento win over the Oklahoma City Comets on Tuesday.

Familiar to these situations, Osleivis Basabe got the rally started for the River Cats (37-27/73-66) in the top of the ninth when he ripped a one-out single through the right side. It had been a tough slump prior to his knock, as the River Cats had suffered eight consecutive strikeouts prior to Basabe’s plate appearance.

After being joined on base by Wade Meckler when he drew a walk, Basabe raced around third and tying the game on a Jesus Rodriguez single into right center. Meanwhile, Rodriguez advanced up to second on a throwing error back into the infield.

Up to the plate stepped Bryce Eldridge, but the Comets (31-33/77-62) issued him an intentional walk that loaded the bases for Thomas Gavello, who had originally entered the game late for the rehabbing Jerar Encarnación. After working a full count, Gavello pulled a ball into right field that scored a pair of runners and gave the River Cats their first lead of the night.

Sacramento had found themselves trailing through most of the contest, including a pair of runs in the first when Oklahoma City used a single by Esteury Ruiz and a Jose Ramos two-run blast to center field to grab the early edge. The Comets added onto the lead with a Luken Baker homer to left center in the third while a one-out walk came back to haunt when Ruiz tripled into left.

However, the River Cats cut into the deficit in a big way during the fifth frame with their first three-run inning of the day, loading the bases with a pair of walks and a Hunter Bishop single which snapped an 0-for-12 hitless streak. Sacramento pushed the first across when Meckler earned an RBI on a groundout while their second scampered home on a sacrifice fly from Rodriguez.

Then came Sacramento’s biggest hit of the game at the time when Eldridge pumped a double into the left-center gap, bringing home Basabe from second.

Though starter Nick Zwack gave up four runs and left after just 3.1 innings, the Sacramento bullpen combined to go the rest of the way and allowed just two hits, issued two walks and struck out seven. Trent Harris was the first of the quartet of relievers to take the mound, striking out three over 1.2 innings.

Mason Black made his second relief appearance of the season and turned in a run-free frame, which was followed by one of his own from Ethan Small. Last was Ryan Watson (4-3), who went the final two innings and punched out three of the six batters he faced while picking up his fourth win.

Bishop and Basabe both closed their nights with a pair of hits and combined to score three runs, with Basabe logging a two-bagger. Eldridge’s only hit was a double with an RBI, while Rodriguez was credited with two RBI while going 1-for-3 with a run scored.

Sacramento will look to keep up the momentum when the two teams meet again on Wednesday in an early west coast start at 10:05 a.m. (PT).