Díaz, Ramos lead River Cats past Aces

River Cats 9, Aces 7

Sacramento infielder Isan Díaz lines a ball against El Paso (6/25/22). (Ralph Thompson Photo)

By Maverick Pallack

June 29, 2022

Reno, Nev. — A seventh-inning RBI single by third baseman Isan Díaz sparked a four-run rally to lift the Sacramento River Cats (31-42) to a 9-7 victory over the host Reno Aces (38-35) in Tuesday’s series opener. Starting his first game out of the leadoff spot, Díaz used his legs

Reno, Nev. — A seventh-inning RBI single by third baseman Isan Díaz sparked a four-run rally to lift the Sacramento River Cats (31-42) to a 9-7 victory over the host Reno Aces (38-35) in Tuesday’s series opener.

Starting his first game out of the leadoff spot, Díaz used his legs to get Sacramento on the board in the first inning. After opening the game with a first-pitch single and advancing to second on right fielder Heliot Ramos’ hit, Díaz stole third and took home on a throwing error by Reno catcher Dominic Miroglio.

Reno promptly took the lead on designated hitter Stone Garrett’s 19th homer of 2022, holding the advantage until the fifth.

Playing in his first game since June 12, first baseman Jason Krizan doubled home center fielder Ka’ai Tom to tie the game, and Ramos singled home Krizan for a 3-2 lead. Celebrating his 33rd birthday, Krizan went 3-for-5 with three runs, two doubles, and an RBI.

Another quick response by the Aces left the game tied until the seventh. After Díaz’s single gave Sacramento a lead it would not relinquish, and second baseman David Villar walked with the bases loaded to make it 5-3, catcher Joey Bart provided some insurance with a two-run single to right field (his first two RBIs for Sacramento).

Despite striking out zero for the first time this season, lefty Enmanuel De Jesus had a solid start, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks in 5.0 innings.

Right-hander Raynel Espinal (5-2, 4.58) looks to rebound after his tough last outing. He’ll try to give Sacramento a 2-0 series advantage with a win over lefty Tommy Henry (3-3, 3.59) at 12:05 p.m. (PT) on Wednesday. Listen to Johnny Doskow call the game online at rivercats.com or on the MiLB First Pitch app.

Additional Notes

Díaz and Ramos combined to go 6-for-9 with three runs, a walk, and four RBIs.
The bases loaded walk by Villar was not the flashiest way to do it, but it gave him a career-high 59 RBIs in his debut Triple-A season.
In his first outing since being placed on the injured list on June 21, rehabbing lefty José Álvarez (1-0) struck out one in a perfect sixth inning.