Costly error leads to four-run inning for Aviators

West Sacramento, Calif. — A misplayed ball and a clutch two-out hit by a former River Cats catcher sealed the win for the Las Vegas Aviators (62-57) over the Sacramento River Cats (51-65) on Monday evening.

With two down in the fifth, right-hander Sean Hjelle was close to getting out of a jam but a tough short-hop on a liner to shortstop Thairo Estrada was misplayed and forced the bases loaded instead of ending the inning. The next batter for Las Vegas was Francisco Peña – a member of the 2019 Triple-A National Championship squad – who would clear the bases with his 11th double of the season. Outfielder Luis Barrera followed with a single to score Peña and suddenly it was 5-1 Aviators.

Hjelle was solid otherwise, working around seven hits and three walks to allow just the one unearned run. The River Cats offense was quiet as the club’s three-game winning streak came to an end, tallying just five hits. Alex Dickerson reached base three times going 2-for-3 with a double and a walk.

What would have been the final series of the season will conclude Tuesday evening before the River Cats head to Salt Lake City for the first half of the remaining 10 games of the season. Left-hander Scott Kazmir and righty Parker Dunshee will meet in a rematch of Thursday’s series opener. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. (PT). Listen to Johnny Doskow call the game live online at rivercats.com or on the MiLB First Pitch app.

Additional Notes

• Newly-acquired right-hander Jake Jewell has yet to allow a run in three appearances since being claimed off waivers from Los Angeles (NL). The former fifth-round pick by the Angels from the 2014 draft has given up three singles, no walks, and struck out three thus far.
• Braden Bishop ignited a brief rally in the ninth inning with a single to extend his hitting streak to 11 games.