Knapp homers for 2nd straight day, Díaz blasts 19th big fly in Friday night defeat

Express 4, River Cats 3

Sacramento infielder Isan Diaz readies for the pitch against Albuquerque (7/17/22). (Ralph Thompson Photo)

By Maverick Pallack

July 29, 2022

Round Rock, Texas — Home runs by designated hitter Andrew Knapp and second baseman Isan Díaz were not enough to overcome a four-run third as the Sacramento River Cats (42-55) lost 4-3 to the Round Rock Express (52-45) on Friday. The River Cats did not allow a hit outside of

*Round Rock, Texas *— Home runs by designated hitter Andrew Knapp and second baseman Isan Díaz were not enough to overcome a four-run third as the Sacramento River Cats (42-55) lost 4-3 to the Round Rock Express (52-45) on Friday.

The River Cats did not allow a hit outside of the third. Newly-acquired right-hander Tobias Myers, making his first start for Sacramento, opened the game with a perfect 2.0 innings before Round Rock scored four runs off right-hander Jeremy Walker (0-4), two coming on a home run by center fielder J.P. Martinez.

Five relievers combined to strike out seven over the final 5.0 shutout innings to keep Sacramento within striking distance.

One day after lining a three-run go-ahead home run, his first big fly for Sacramento, Knapp lined a solo home run to get the River Cats on the board in the fourth inning.

Díaz continued his scorching road trip with his 19th home run of the season to right-center (103.9 MPH exit velocity) in the seventh. He is 9-for-25 (.360) with seven runs, three home runs, seven RBIs, and a 1.244 OPS in seven games this road trip.

Four batters later, shortstop Arquímedes Gamboa came through with a clutch two-out RBI single to plate left fielder Ka’ai Tom to make it 4-3.

Sacramento had a chance to tie the game in the eighth when first baseman Jason Krizan lined a leadoff double, and advanced to third on a fly out. After a strikeout, Round Rock righty Jesus Tinoco entered and retired the next four batters to earn his 11th save.

Righty Sean Hjelle (4-4, 5.27) will try to regain the series advantage with a win on Saturday. He’ll take on lefty Kolby Allard (1-1, 4.01) at 5:05 p.m. (PT). Listen to Johnny Doskow call the game online at rivercats.com or on the MiLB First Pitch app.

Additional Notes

Right fielder Austin Dean extended his season-high hitting streak to 10 with a first-inning double. Dean is 16-for-36 (.444) with six runs, four doubles, eight RBIs, and a 1.101 OPS during the streak.
Right-hander Gregory Santos, the Giants’ No. 14 prospect on MLB Pipeline, struck out the side in the sixth.