McCarthy, Alcántara homer as River Cats drop 3rd walk-off in 4 games

Bees 10, River Cats 9

Outfielder Joe McCarthy swings at a pitch against Las Vegas on May 31, 2021. (Ralph Thompson Photo)

By Maverick Pallack

July 9, 2021

Salt Lake City, Utah — The Sacramento River Cats (23-31) fell in devastating fashion for the third time in four games, losing to the Salt Lake Bees (27-27) on center fielder Jo Adell’s walk-off single in Thursday’s series opener. After dropping the final three games of their last series in

Salt Lake City, Utah — The Sacramento River Cats (23-31) fell in devastating fashion for the third time in four games, losing to the Salt Lake Bees (27-27) on center fielder Jo Adell’s walk-off single in Thursday’s series opener.

After dropping the final three games of their last series in Las Vegas, two on walk-offs, the River Cats had the chance at a fresh start, taking a 9-7 lead into the final frame. With two outs, no one on, and a two-run lead, right-hander Trevor Gott (1-3) could not find the last out. Third baseman Preston Palmeiro’s home run, followed by a walk, double, and an intentional walk, set up Adell’s game-winner.

The ninth inning put a damper on an otherwise strong showing for Sacramento, which included three-run home runs from designated hitter Joe McCarthy and third baseman Arismendy Alcántara.

One game after McCarthy set a new career high, the lefty reached the 10-home run peak for the first time in his professional career with a first-inning shot to break the scoreless tie.

First baseman Jason Krizan doubled the lead in the second with a bases-clearing double, and in the fourth, Alcántara blasted his ninth home run of the season to make it 9-6.

In his first Triple-A start of the season, right-hander Akeel Morris had a shutdown first inning, but five runs, two each coming on home runs by shortstop Jake Gatewood and Adell, forced the 28-year-old to exit before completing the fifth inning.

Right-hander Matt Frisbee (1-3, 7.98) looks to stop the skid with a win on Friday, taking on fellow righty Jaime Barria (2-1, 3.71) 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

Right-handers Yunior Marte and Trevor Hildenberger settled things down after Morris and left-hander Conner Menez struggled. Marte threw 1.1 shutout innings and Hildenberger added a scoreless eighth before Gott’s blown save.
Gatewood has owned Sacramento pitching this season. In seven games, Gatewood is 12-for-31 with four home runs, 13 RBIs, and eight runs.