Sacramento Winning Streak Stopped After Comeback Falls Short

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – The Sacramento River Cats nearly escaped an early hole after the Oklahoma City Baseball Club scored five times in the first two innings, but not even three runs in the eighth for Sacramento could keep their winning streak alive as they dropped a 5-4 decision on Sunday.

Taking the advantage early was Oklahoma City (12-9), starting with an infield single by Drew Avans and a walk in front of a single by Trey Sweeney that, combined with a misplayed ball in center field, resulted in two runs. Oklahoma City added one more later in the frame on an RBI groundout by Ryan Ward.

In the second Oklahoma City tacked on two more, including what would wind up as the game-winning run. A leadoff walk and double had a pair of runners in scoring position, with both scoring on a single up the middle by Avans.

After a rocky start by River Cats (14-7) starter Carson Seymour (1-1), he settled down in the third before eventually leaving with a final line of five runs allowed (four earned) on four hits in 2.2 innings with three strikeouts.

Taking over was Clay Helvey, who ran into trouble in the fourth by loading the bases before he was able to earn the final two outs via the strikeout. He went on to turn in another scoreless outing by going 2.1 innings, giving up only two hits and walking one with five strikeouts. It was his third scoreless appearance with Sacramento totaling 7.1 combined innings with only four hits allowed, and he has yet to allow a run of any kind in his five appearances in 2024 including two outings with Richmond (AA).

His effort, along with the two scoreless innings worked by Cody Stashak and the one tossed by Justin Garza, bought the Sacramento offense time as they tried to build a comeback. Each River Cat pitcher logged a strikeout, ending the day with 11 to mark their eighth game with double-digit strikeouts.

Sacramento reached the scoreboard for the first time in the fourth, using an RBI single by Donovan Walton to chip away at the lead. The rest of the damage came during the eighth when they scored three times, an inning that saw each of the first three batters single with the latter an RBI knock from Blake Sabol.

After a walk that loaded the bases, Yusniel Diaz brought home a run on a sacrifice fly, setting up Walton for his second RBI chance of the day. He delivered, knocking a ball into left center that scored Sabol. However, that was as far as the River Cats could get despite numerous other chances.

Five of the nine turns at-bat for the River Cats began with the leadoff runner reaching base, including two innings where each of the first two batters found their way aboard. Nothing came of those chances, due in part to the River Cats hitting into a season-high three double plays.

Not only did he drive in two of the three runs, but Walton also finished his day by going 4-for-4, the second River Cat this season to post a four-hit day after Brett Wisely did so in game three of this series on April 18. David Villar also collected a trio of hits, going 3-for-5 and scoring twice in the process.

Following a travel day on Monday, the River Cats return to Sutter Health Park to begin a six-game series against the Las Vegas Aviators with first pitch on Tuesday, April 24 scheduled for 12:05 p.m. (PT).