Johnson plates 2, Chihuahuas blast 5 homers in River Cats defeat

El Paso, Texas — The Sacramento River Cats (17-18) were burned by home runs, falling 9-6 to the El Paso Chihuahuas (20-15) on Saturday.

Eight of El Paso’s nine runs came via the home run, including the final three on left fielder Brent Rooker’s walk-off big fly. First baseman Aderlin Rodriguez went 3-for-4 with two homers and three RBIs.

Sacramento lefty Enmanuel De Jesus, who entered the game without surrendering a home run in 20.1 innings, served up two home runs in his season-high 5.0 frames.

Right-hander Luis Ortiz pitched 2.0 strong innings in relief before two solo home runs in the eighth spoiled his outing with a blown save.

After Sacramento stranded two runners in the top of the ninth, Rooker won the game with his three-run shot off righty Patrick Ruotolo (1-1).

While El Paso fed off the long ball, the River Cats manufactured their offense, with just one extra-base hit in the game.

Right fielder Bryce Johnson, a native of Cypress, Texas, had a pair of go-ahead RBI singles, one in the second and one in the fifth.

Left-hander Michael Plassmeyer (0-4, 5.58), who last came out of the bullpen, rejoins the rotation for the series finale, taking on a TBD at 11:05 a.m. (PT) on Sunday. Listen to Johnny Doskow call the game online at rivercats.com or on the MiLB First Pitch app.

Additional Notes

• Shortstop Isan Diaz tripled home third baseman Kevin Padlo in the fifth to tie the game. Diaz went 2-for-4 with two runs and a walk. Padlo went 2-for-3 with two runs, two walks, and a stolen base.
• Rehabbing infielder Tommy La Stella went 1-for-4 with an RBI and a walk while playing both second and third base in the game.