Kitties Shut Out in Series Finale with Aviators

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – For the first time in 2024 the River Cats were failed to score a run, as they were shutout by the Las Vegas Aviators on Sunday by a 7-0 final.

Neither team could break through on the scoreboard until the middle innings, as both starters were in a groove through the first five frames. River Cats (14-10) starter Carson Whisenhunt put up his second consecutive scoreless outing and third of the season, striking out five in the process. It was his third straight contest with five or more strikeouts.

Meanwhile, Aviators (12-14) starter Joey Estes, who was making his first start since he was activated off the injured list, matched Whisenhunt every step of the way. Though he yielded four hits to just the one of Whisenhunt, Estes walked just one and struck out four.

Taking the ball from Whisenhunt was Randy Rodriguez (1-1), who tallied two quick outs including a strikeout upon entering. However, consecutive doubles from J.D. Davis, who joined the Aviators on a rehab assignment, and Yohel Pozo resulted in the first run of the contest.

That score held until the top of the ninth when Las Vegas added some insurance, scoring six times with the highlight coming on a grand slam from Brett Harris. It was the first grand slam for Las Vegas this season, while it was the second allowed by the River Cats this season, the first belonging to Graham Pauley of El Paso on April 11.

All five Sacramento hits came from different bats, which included a double from Trenton Brooks as he ended the day 1-for-3. Each three in the bottom third of the lineup closed the game 1-for-3, as Luis Matos, Ismael Munguia and Donovan Walton each logged a knock.

Failing to get a hit in today’s game was Casey Schmitt, as he saw his 15-game hit streak come to an end. Over that span Schmitt batted .419 (26-for-62) with 12 runs scored, four doubles, one triple, four homers, 24 RBI and 1.143 OPS.

This marked the first time the River Cats were shutout in a game this season, and their first instance since they also lost by a score of 7-0 to the Sugar Land Space Cowboys on Sept. 17, 2023.

Despite the loss, the River Cats still secured a series split, as they are yet to lose any of their five series so far this year. The last time the River Cats went five series without a loss to begin the year was the 2012 campaign when they played a total of 11 series before taking a loss in series 12 (seven series wins, four ties).

Sacramento is now halfway through their first 12-game homestand of the year, as they will welcome the Tacoma Rainiers for six games beginning on Tuesday at 6:45 p.m. from Sutter Health Park.