Villar’s Drives in Three for Sacramento’s Fourth Straight Win
TACOMA, Wash. – David Villar provided all the offense needed for the Sacramento River Cats on Friday night, driving in three with a trio of hits for a 3-1 Sacramento victory over the Tacoma Rainiers. The first two innings came and went quickly, setting up the top of the third
TACOMA, Wash. – David Villar provided all the offense needed for the Sacramento River Cats on Friday night, driving in three with a trio of hits for a 3-1 Sacramento victory over the Tacoma Rainiers.
The first two innings came and went quickly, setting up the top of the third for the River Cats (8-5) where they put a pair of runners in scoring position with no outs. Jhonathan Diaz (0-2) was able to strike out the next pair of Cats that he faced but could not escape without danger as Villar lined a single on a full count through the left side that scored both Serigo Alcántara (who reached with a leadoff double) and Grant McCray (who reached on an error).
Sacramento starter Carson Ragsdale (1-2) worked his way into the fifth without a run allowed, but that changed with his first pitch of the fifth when Rhylan Thomas launched a solo home run to right field that cut the deficit to 2-1.
It took until the top of the seventh for the River Cats to claw that run back, mainly due to the effort of Brett Wisely. His one-out single and immediate stolen base set the stage for Villar yet again, this time delivering a single into left that easily brought Wisely home for an insurance tally.
Joey Lucchesi took over for Ragsdale in the sixth and allowed just two hits, earning his fourth straight hold, while Tristan Beck followed up with a spotless eighth frame. On to shut the door was Justin Garza (S, 3), who did so but not after he allowed a pair of two-out singles through the left side.
The win marked the fourth straight win for the River Cats, something they have not done since they won five in a row from July 27-Aug. 1, 2024. It also secured Sacramento a series win with two games still to play in the set.
Villar claimed nearly half of Sacramento’s hits by ending his night 3-for-5 with three RBI, while Wisely, Max Stassi, Osleivis Basabe, and Alcántara each chipped in a knock. Alcántara was the only one who’s hit went for extra bases, lining a double in which he later scored.
Game five of the series gets underway tomorrow at Cheney Stadium beginning at 6:05 p.m. (PT).