River Cats Rally, but Still Fall Shy Against Space Cowboys

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Both teams were deadlocked at 1-1 entering the eighth, leaving the game to be decided by a four-run top of the eighth despite a late rally from the Sacramento River Cats, ultimately ending in favor of the Sugar Land Space Cowboys by a 5-4 final on Wednesday.

The contest was scoreless through the first two innings despite the River Cats (34-37/78-68) leaving three runners on, which gave room for the Space Cowboys (42-28/91-54) to push across the game’s first run in the top of the third. A Tommy Sacco Jr. double started the frame, but despite two quick outs for Sacramento, he scored two batters later with two outs on a single into right from Zach Dezenzo.

It took until the home half of the sixth, but Sacramento was finally able to equalize, scoring the tying run on an RBI single into left from Hunter Bishop. Scoring on the play was Bryce Eldridge, who had notched his second hit of the afternoon by leading off the inning with a single.

The game did not stay tied for long, as the Space Cowboys unleashed a four-run top of the eighth that was primarily started by a fielding error at first base. With a runner at third and one out, a ball hit to the right side of the infield was missed, allowing the runner at third to score. That kept the inning moving along, which later saw Sugar Land drive in runs on a Brice Matthews single and a Sacco Jr. double.

Sacramento continued fighting in their final two sets of swings, immediately getting a run back in the home half of the inning thanks to a sacrifice fly from Bishop. Scoring on the play was David Villar, who had lined his own single into right-center with one out.

In the ninth the River Cats continued to rally, scoring two thanks to one swing of the bat by Wade Meckler. Sitting in a 2-2 count with one on, Meckler crushed his second homer in as many days with a blast out to right-center, bringing Sacramento within one.

Unfortunately, the rally could go no further as the Space Cowboys were able to shut the door for the victory. Taking the loss for Sacramento was Raymond Burgos (2-1), his first of the year, after he allowed the four unearned runs in the top of the eighth.

Three River Cats had logged multi-hit games in Meckler, Eldridge and Bishop. The former was 2-for-5 with two RBI thanks to his homer, while the latter was 2-for-2 with a pair of RBI. Eldridge recorded his first Triple-A multi-hit game, closing 2-for-4 with a run scored.

Even at a game apiece in the series, Sacramento will line up for game three against Sugar Land at 6:45 p.m. (PT) from Sutter Health Park on Thursday.