Four-Run Seventh Again Catalyst for Cats Win Over Space Cowboys

SUGAR LAND, Texas – A pair of homers powered the Sacramento River Cats in the early going, but it was another four-run seventh frame that was the difference in Sacramento’s 9-5 win over the Sugar Land Space Cowboys on Friday.

Three walks loaded the bases in the bottom of the second, allowing the Space Cowboys (33-27) to score the game’s first run on an RBI groundout. However, the River Cats quickly responded with their first multi-run frame, all of which scored on a three-run blast from Luis Matos. His first of the season with Sacramento was well-timed, doing so from a 3-1 count with two outs in the inning.

Luciano matched Matos and hit a homer of his own with a pair of outs, the dinger for Luciano coming in the top of the fourth in the form of a solo shot from a 1-2 count. However, that equalized the run scored by Sugar Land on a passed ball in the bottom of the third.

Sugar Land scored twice more to draw the game level, once in the fourth on a Colin Barber single and once in the fifth on a Omar Narváez knock into left.

Much like yesterday’s contest, the River Cats saved their biggest frame for the seventh inning, producing a quartet of runs late in the contest. The frame started with a pair of free passes, but only the first of which scored on an RBI knock from Wade Meckler.

Delivering in the clutch once again was Bryce Eldridge, who deposited a single into center and drove home a pair of runs. One of those runners was Fernando Gonzalez, who was making his Triple-A debut after being transferred from Low-A San Jose.

To cap off the scoring, Brett Wisely chipped in a single to right field that brough around Luis Matos, who had reached on a fielder’s choice.

Both teams traded a tally in the eighth, as this time Sacramento capitalized and scampered home for a run on a wild pitch from Sugar Land, while the Space Cowboys used a leadoff walk and subsequent double for the game’s final run.

Trevor McDonald earned the start for Sacramento but lasted only three innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on one hit with a season-high five walks. Picking up the win was Joey Lucchesi (2-1), who tossed two near perfect frames as he did not allow a hit and walked one with one strikeout.

Luciano ended his night 2-for-3 with three runs scored and a double in addition to his solo homer, while Matos was 1-for-5 with two runs scored and his three-run big fly. Wade Meckler finished 2-for-5 with two runs scored, while Eldridge was 1-for-4 with the two RBI.

Sacramento has now clinched a series split with their third win of the series, and the River Cats will look to take the series outright when the two sides take the field for game five on Saturday at 5:05 p.m. (PT) from Constellation Field.