River Cats pounce early, top 'Topes 8-0

West Sacramento, CA - The Sacramento River Cats (55-71) came out hot Saturday night in front of a packed Raley Field crowd, putting up six runs in the first inning on their way to an 8-0 victory over the Albuquerque Isotopes (61-65).

Sacramento's first seven hitters reached base against Albuquerque and their starter Yency Almonte. Jae-Gyun Hwang highlighted the six-run frame by launching a 439-foot grand slam to center field, the second longest home run hit at Raley Field this season. River Cats starter Casey Kelly held the Isotopes scoreless over his six innings tonight and earned his first victory with the team.
Right-hander Roberto Gomez (3-7, 4.41) will be on the hill for Sacramento tomorrow for game two and will face Albuquerque right-hander Matt Flemer (7-7, 5.99). First pitch is set for 5:05 p.m. (PT) and the game can be heard live online at rivercats.com and on the air on ESPN 1320.
Postgame Notes
Hwang: Third baseman Jae-Gyun Hwang recorded his first four-RBI game…leads the team with 52 RBI.
Mac: Right fielder Mac Williamson went 1-for-3 with a walk and run scored before being replaced in the seventh inning…in his last six games, he is hitting .458 (11-for-24) with five runs and five RBI.
Gillaspie: First baseman Conor Gillaspie extended his hit streak to seven games tonight…is hitting .429 (12-for-28) with six runs over that span.
Shaw: Left fielder Chris Shaw was 1-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI tonight…is 5-for-13 with four runs in his last three games…has 13 RBI in 16 August games.  
Upton: Centerfielder Justin Upton hit his first home run with the River Cats…broke out of his 1-for-15 slump by finishing 2-for-5 tonight…Upton is hitting .268 in 11 games with the club.
Grand Salami: Hwang hit Sacramento's fourth grand slam this season, all of which have come at Raley Field…was Hwang's first career grand slam…the River Cats hit two grand slams in 2016 and four in 2015.  
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The Sacramento River Cats are the Triple-A affiliate of the three-time World Champion San Francisco Giants. The team plays at Raley Field in West Sacramento, consistently voted one of the top ballparks in America. River Cats Season Tickets, Mini-Plans, and Flex Plans can be purchased for the 2017 season by calling the River Cats Ticket Hotline at (916) 371-HITS (4487). For more information about the River Cats, visit www.rivercats.com. For information on other events at Raley Field, visit www.raleyfield.com.