Villar’s 2 homers fuel River Cats’ extra innings comeback win
El Paso, Texas — A shutdown bullpen effort and two clutch home runs from first baseman David Villar powered the Sacramento River Cats (16-16) to a 10-9 comeback, extra innings victory over the El Paso Chihuahuas (18-14) on Wednesday. Having already hit a grand slam to ignite the comeback in
El Paso, Texas — A shutdown bullpen effort and two clutch home runs from first baseman David Villar powered the Sacramento River Cats (16-16) to a 10-9 comeback, extra innings victory over the El Paso Chihuahuas (18-14) on Wednesday.
Having already hit a grand slam to ignite the comeback in the fifth, Villar gave Sacramento its first lead since the second inning, when he launched a two-run 10th inning go-ahead blast off righty Tyler Higgins (1-3).
The victory was the River Cats’ second in extra frames this season, but first road extra innings win since July 23, 2019 at Fresno.
The River Cats originally led in the first when third baseman Luke Williams knocked in two with a single, before the Chihuahuas stormed Sacramento righty Sean Hjelle with eight runs (seven earned) on eight hits and two walks in 3.0 innings.
Sacramento did not roll over, however, as the fifth-inning grand slam by Villar and a sixth-inning two-run single by shortstop Arquímedes Gamboa tied the game.
The comeback would not have been possible if not for the lockdown showing by the Sacramento bullpen. Four River Cats right-handers combined to strike out 10 over 6.0 shutout innings.
Taylor Williams extinguished the fire with four strikeouts in 2.0 innings. Mauricio Llovera, two strikeouts in 1.0 inning, Gregory Santos, a strikeout in 1.0 inning, and Patrick Ruotolo (1-0), three strikeouts in 2.0 innings, set up lefty Joey Marciano, who converted his third save of the season.
Young righty Tristan Beck (0-0, 11.17) looks to make it two in a row vs El Paso. He’ll take on righty Kyle Tyler (0-1, 4.70) at 5:35 p.m. (PT) on Thursday. Listen to Johnny Doskow call the game online at rivercats.com or on the MiLB First Pitch app.
Additional Notes
- Villar, who went 3-for-5 with three runs and six RBIs, now has a team-leading 10 home runs and 32 RBIs.
- Rehabbing San Francisco second baseman Tommy La Stella went 1-for-4 with two runs and a walk on Wednesday. He is 4-for-18 with four runs, a home run, and two RBIs in six rehab games.