River Cats Run Out of Juice in Comeback Attempt Against Isotopes

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – In each of the last three games the Sacramento River Cats overcame a deficit to win, and though they were looking to do that again on Saturday, Sacramento ran out of steam as the Albuquerque Isotopes avoided a sweep with a 7-4 victory.

The River Cats (38-24) struck first with their opening set of swings as Hunter Bishop led off the bottom of the inning with a double, scoring a batter later on a sacrifice fly from Luis Matos after advancing to third on a passed ball.

However, the offense went dormant for the next several innings despite hits in the second, third and fourth, leaving the runners stranded each time.

Though the Isotopes (18-44) only tallied runs in two innings, it was a pair of big frames as they plated four in the third and three in the fourth. Albuquerque got their offense started with a single and walk, both of whom eventually scored thanks to a one-out double from Nolan Jones. The hits kept coming as another single kept two aboard, and both scored on yet another double in the frame from Sam Hilliard.

Necessary insurance was added in the fourth, kicking off the inning with a solo home run to left field on a 2-2 pitch from Connor Kaiser. After a single from Daniel Cope, a second home run in the inning forced home another pair of runs, as Trevor Boone launched a pitch into the home run terrace beyond the left field wall.

All runs were scored against Sacramento starter Mason Black (2-2), who had given up a season-high seven runs on a season-high tying seven hits. It was the first time Black had allowed seven runs since he was a member of the Eugene Emeralds on Aug. 18, 2022.

Trying to continue its comeback ways, the River Cats scored twice in the seventh and once in the eighth. It started with Bishop’s third blast of the year that cleared the wall in right field and scored Ismael Munguia, who had reached on a bunt single.

Sacramento’s best chance to complete the comeback came in the eighth, as they loaded the bases with only one out thanks to a trio of walks. However, the River Cats could only push across one run on an RBI fielder’s choice from pinch hitter Jakson Reetz, ultimately leaving a pair of runners on base.

The bright spot in the contest for Sacramento was the bullpen, as relievers went 5.2 innings without allowing a run on only two hits. Giving up both the hits was Raymond Burgos, who went 2.2 frames with a season-high five strikeouts. It was his first time punching out five since he struck out six on May 17, 2019 with the Lake County Captains.

Meanwhile, the duo of Cody Stashak (2.0 innings) and Tanner Andrews (1.0 inning) did not allow a hit, and each struck out three. The River Cats bullpen has allowed only two runs since the beginning of June, posting a 0.59 ERA (2 ER in 30.2 IP) in that time.

For Bishop it was his second three-hit effort in his past three games, and he also has hits in four straight games (9-for-15, .600). Additionally, he has scored runs in five straight games, totaling eight runs in that time.

Despite having their six-game winning streak snapped, the River Cats will look to end the series on a high note in game six tomorrow at 1:05 p.m. (PT) from Sutter Health Park.