Villar homers, 5-run 1st powers River Cats to Friday night victory

River Cats 7, Rainiers 1

Tacoma, Wash. — Highlighted by a first-inning two-run home run by second baseman David Villar, the Sacramento River Cats (25-39) stormed out to an early lead and did not look back, winning 7-1 at the Tacoma Rainiers (26-37) on Friday.

The River Cats took advantage of control problems by right-hander Patrick Weigel (2-3), who opened for Tacoma, sending 10 men to the plate in a five-run first.

After a one-out walk by left fielder Donovan Walton, Villar got Sacramento a lead it would not relinquish, lining his 17th home run of the year, which tied Reno outfielder Stone Garrett for the PCL lead.

A hit-by-pitch and three walks, the final being an RBI for catcher Jhonny Pereda, chased Weigel. Following the pitching change, shortstop Arquímedes Gamboa welcomed left-hander Nick Margevicius with a two-run single to make it 5-0.

A late switch led to the originally scheduled starter, lefty Enmanuel De Jesus (2-1), instead pitching in relief.

Right-hander Norwith Gudiño opened with a dominant 2.0 innings, striking out four with one hit allowed. Right-hander Gregory Santos then furthered the bridge to De Jesus with a strikeout in a scoreless third.

De Jesus entered out of the bullpen for the first time this season and did not disappoint. The 25-year-old allowed just one run, on a home run in his first inning of work, while striking out seven in 5.0 piggyback innings.

Ace right-hander Raynel Espinal (4-1, 3.96) will try for his team-leading fifth win on Saturday. He’ll take on righty Daniel Ponce de Leon (4-4, 6.23) at 5:05 p.m. (PT). Listen to Johnny Doskow call the game online at rivercats.com or on the MiLB First Pitch app.

Additional Notes

• San Francisco’s No. 5 prospect on MLB Pipeline, center fielder Heliot Ramos, recorded his third multi-hit game of the series, going 2-for-4 with a double, a run, and an RBI. After a slow start, Ramos is batting .333 with 12 runs, three doubles, three home runs, eight RBIs, and an .898 OPS since May 27.
• Right-hander Yunior Marte finished the game by striking out the side for the second time this month. The 27-year-old is 1-1 with a 3.78 ERA, two saves, 24 strikeouts, a 0.84 WHIP, and a .138 opposing batting average in 16.2 Triple-A innings this season.