Early Cats Lead Slips Against Aviators

Lamb Hitting Streak Ends, Harrison Solid Through Four

Miguel Diaz deals a pitch during Sacramento's contest during their opener weekend at Sutter Health Park. (Ralph Thompson Photo)

By Jake Ward

April 5, 2025

LAS VEGAS – Three straight runs helped the Sacramento River Cats build an early lead in game three of their series, but a pair of multi-run innings for the Las Vegas Aviators swung the game in favor of the home team by a 6-4 final on Friday. A Grant McCray

LAS VEGAS – Three straight runs helped the Sacramento River Cats build an early lead in game three of their series, but a pair of multi-run innings for the Las Vegas Aviators swung the game in favor of the home team by a 6-4 final on Friday.

A Grant McCray leadoff single in the third inning set the table for the following at-bat when Brett Wisely launched his first home run of the season, quickly putting the River Cats (3-4) ahead 2-0. An inning later and the Cats left the yard again, this time with Hunter Bishop’s first blast of the year that came on a 2-1 count and cleared the wall in right.

From that point the Sacramento offense seemed to go cold, as Aviators (5-2) pitching retired the next 10 River Cats hitters while the offense fought back. A two-RBI double from Nick Kurtz and a pair of RBI singles produced all four runs for Las Vegas in the frame, though they were also aided by an error on a failed pickoff from Trevor McDonald.

Briefly Sacramento drew level in the seventh, pushing across a run on a Marco Luciano single into left that scored McCray after he initially reached with a walk. However, the Aviators used four hits in the seventh frame, highlighted by RBI singles from Willie MacIver and Drew Avans to pull back in front for good.

Though he did not factor into the decision, Sacramento starter Kyle Harrison was sharp through four as he allowed just two hits and three walks while striking out six.

What has been a normally strong bullpen had a tougher night, allowing six runs between Trevor McDonald (four) and Antonio Jimenez (0-1), the latter of which allowed two runs and took the loss.

All seven River Cats hits in the game came from different bats, but one that did not collect a hit was Jake Lamb as his six-game hitting streak came to an end. McCray reached and scored twice while going 1-for-4, and both Wisely and Bishop were 1-for-4 with their home runs being the lone hit.

Game five of the series gets underway at Las Vegas Ballpark on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. (PT).