McCarthy, Tolman power River Cats to 14-run streak-breaking victory

Salt Lake City, Utah — The Sacramento River Cats (24-33) were able to end their season-high six-game losing streak, defeating the Salt Lake Bees (29-28) with an offensive explosion led by first baseman Joe McCarthy’s two home runs.

One day after Arismendy Alcántara surpassed him for the team-lead in big flies, McCarthy retook the lead with two home runs to extend his career-high to 12. McCarthy finished the day 4-for-6 with four runs and three RBIs.

Not to be outdone, third baseman Mitchell Tolman and catcher Ronnie Freeman had impressive days at the plate. Tolman was 3-for-6 with four RBIs and one run, while Freeman walked twice and blasted a three-run shot in the fourth, his first home run of the season for Sacramento.

Sacramento scored early, and often. Center fielder Bryce Johnson tripled on the first pitch of the game and scored two batters later on shortstop Mauricio Dubón’s sacrifice fly in the first, before McCarthy launched his first of two home runs to make it 3-0.

After Salt Lake got one back in the second, the River Cats broke things open in the fourth on Freeman’s home run and Tolman’ two-run single.

With a planned bullpen day, the River Cats needed an arm or two to step up, and they received that from right-hander Kervin Castro and lefty Conner Menez (1-1).

Following Trevor Hildenberger’s 1.2 innings with one earned run, Castro promptly stranded a runner, and provided two more innings of relief, finishing the day with six strikeouts and two earned runs in 2.2 innings. Menez was excellent, pitching his best Triple-A outing of the year. He struck out two while allowing just one hit and one walk in 2.2 innings.

Veteran left-hander Scott Kazmir (2-1, 3.80) looks to make it two in a row, taking on left-hander Brian Johnson (1-0, 3.24) at 5:35 p.m. (PT) on Monday. Listen to Johnny Doskow call the game online at rivercats.com or on the MiLB First Pitch app.

Additional Notes

• Left fielder Will Toffey, who played his first career Triple-A game on Friday, went 2-for-5 with two runs, a double, a walk, and his first RBI at the level on Sunday.
• Every Sacramento position player to get in the game either scored a run or knocked one in as they totaled nine extra-base hits and set a season-high with 11 walks.