Krizan continues hot hitting, River Cats fall to Bees in game 1

Salt Lake City, Utah. — The Sacramento River Cats (33-46) could not take advantage of a late rally, falling 7-4 to the Salt Lake Bees (37-42) on the Fourth of July.

Tied at four in the sixth, the Bees scored a run in each of the next three innings, taking a three-run lead into the ninth.

Wild pitching put Sacramento back in the game, as the River Cats loaded the bases with two outs for catcher Jhonny Pereda. With a full count, Salt Lake right-hander Jose Marte was able to escape the jam, forcing a ground out to end the game.

Veteran first baseman Jason Krizan led the way offensively, going 2-for-3 with a run and a walk. Since June 2, Krizan is 22-for-54 (.407) with 14 runs, eight doubles, 11 RBIs, and a 1.072 OPS.

Two switch hitters, center fielder Bryce Johnson and shortstop Arquímedes Gamboa, had solid days at the plate. Johnson scored the game’s first run, going 2-for-5 with an RBI, while Gamboa went 1-for-1 with a squeeze-bunt RBI and two walks.

Right-hander Raynel Espinal was burned for four runs on five hits and two walks while striking out three in 4.0 innings.

The River Cats will reboot with an off day in Salt Lake before returning to Smith’s Ballpark to take on the Bees on Wednesday. Right-hander Tristan Beck (2-5, 7.11) will face lefty Reid Detmers (0-0, 1.50) at 5:35 p.m. (PT). Listen to Johnny Doskow call the game online at rivercats.com or on the MiLB First Pitch app.

Additional Notes

• Sacramento left fielder Willie Calhoun had his seven-game hitting streak snapped, going 0-for-3 with two walks.
• River Cats righty Zack Littell struck out three and walked one in a scoreless inning. Littell now has four strikeouts and just one hit allowed in 3.0 innings.