Pereda’s single lifts River Cats to exciting 3-2 walk-off victory

West Sacramento, Calif. — Catcher Jhonny Pereda and left-hander Joey Marciano (4-0) were extra-inning heroes as the Sacramento River Cats (29-42) walked-off the El Paso Chihuahuas (40-31) with a 3-2 victory on Saturday.

Tied at two with one out and two on, Pereda sent the Sutter Health Park fans home happy with a clutch one-out single to right field to plate the headfirst-sliding pinch-runner Bryce Johnson from second base.

Things remained tied in the bottom of the 10th thanks to an excellent escape act by Marciano in the top half of the inning. With the bases loaded and two outs, Marciano struck out eight-time MLB All-Star Robinson Canó to set up Pereda’s game-winner.

Second baseman Isan Díaz originally got Sacramento on the board in the fifth with a towering 400-foot, 101.5 exit velocity solo shot. Despite playing just 39 games for the River Cats, Díaz is sixth in the PCL with 14 home runs, averaging a homer every 8.93 at-bats.

Two innings later, rehabbing San Francisco outfielder LaMonte Wade Jr. came through to tie the game with an RBI single to center, plating center fielder Ka’ai Tom.

Down a starter, the River Cats had a strong performance from their bullpen starting with opener, right-hander Taylor Williams’ 2.0 shutout innings.

Righty Norwith Gudino provided some much-needed length for the pitching staff, striking out four while allowing two runs on one hit and two walks in 3.0 piggyback innings.

Right-hander Sean Hjelle (4-3, 4.96) will try to earn the series split with a win on Sunday. He’ll take on El Paso’s series-opener, lefty Ryan Weathers (4-4, 6.90) at 1:05 p.m. (PT). Listen to Johnny Doskow call the game online at rivercats.com or on the MiLB First Pitch app.

Additional Notes

• Right-hander Gregory Santos (1.2 shutout innings), lefty Joe Palumbo (0.1 shutout), and righty Jeremy Walker (2.0 scoreless) held the Chihuahuas in check before the game went to extra-innings.
• Wade finished the day 2-for-4 with a walk. In six rehab games this stint, Wade is hitting .300 with four runs, two doubles, a home run, four RBIs, and three walks.