Krizan homers, Ortiz continues dominant stretch as River Cats fall on Saturday

Rainiers 10, River Cats 5

Sacramento infielder Jason Krizan loads for the pitch against Sugar Land on Opening Night (4/5/22). (Ralph Thompson Photo)

By Maverick Pallack

September 3, 2022

Tacoma, Wash. — An early 8-0 deficit was too much to overcome as the Sacramento River Cats (57-71) fell 10-5 at the Tacoma Rainiers (60-68) on Saturday. Second baseman Jason Krizan had a solid day at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a walk and a 384-foot three-run homer in the

Tacoma, Wash. — An early 8-0 deficit was too much to overcome as the Sacramento River Cats (57-71) fell 10-5 at the Tacoma Rainiers (60-68) on Saturday.

Second baseman Jason Krizan had a solid day at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a walk and a 384-foot three-run homer in the third to get the River Cats on the board.

Sacramento made things interesting in the seventh with two runs on RBI singles by third baseman Ford Proctor and shortstop Dixon Machado to make it 9-5.

The Rainiers used four homers off lefty Jonathan Bermudez (2-5) and lefty Ben Bowden to take a commanding 8-0 lead in the second. Bermudez, who was making his River Cats debut, struck out three while surrendering five runs on four hits and two walks in 1.1 innings.

Righty Luis Ortiz struck out four in 2.0 scoreless innings of relief. The 26-year-old is 4-0 with 21 strikeouts, 0.78 WHIP, a .179 opposing batting average, and zero earned runs in his last 23.0 innings.

Sacramento’s team leader in wins, right-hander Sean Hjelle (6-8, 5.02), will try to earn the series split with a win in Sunday’s finale. He’ll take on righty Darren McCaughan (8-6, 4.41) at 1:35 p.m. (PT) Listen to Johnny Doskow call the game online at rivercats.com or on the MiLB First Pitch app.

Additional Notes

Catcher Jhonny Pereda went 2-for-3 with a run and a walk.
Lefty Thomas Szapucki was strong out of the bullpen, striking out three while allowing two walks in 2.0 shutout innings.