Baby Cakes hold off River Cats' comeback attempt

Peña collects three hits in 4-3 loss to New Orleans

(Ralph Thompson Anysportphoto.com)

June 8, 2019

Metairie, La. -- Looking to tie their longest winning streak of the season, the Sacramento River Cats (31-31) came up just short losing 4-3 to the New Orleans Baby Cakes (35-28).The River Cats loaded the bases in the eighth inning and plated two runs to make it a one-run game,

Metairie, La. -- Looking to tie their longest winning streak of the season, the Sacramento River Cats (31-31) came up just short losing 4-3 to the New Orleans Baby Cakes (35-28).
The River Cats loaded the bases in the eighth inning and plated two runs to make it a one-run game, but Baby Cakes reliever R.J. Alvarez got a big strikeout on shortstop Abiatal Avelino to end the threat. Catcher Francisco Peña was part of that late-inning rally as he singled home Austin Slater for his third hit of the game. Earlier on, Peña clubbed his third homer of the year and added a double, as well.
Left-hander Ty Blach settled down nicely after allowing a run in the opening inning, but a two-run shot off the bat of New Orleans second baseman Isan Díaz in the seventh inning ended Blach's scoreless run. Still, Blach's outing was one of his best of the year as he walked no one and struck out a season-high seven.
Lefty Conner Menez, promoted from Double-A Richmond, will be making his 2019 debut with Sacramento. He'll be up against New Orleans ace Zac Gallen (1-0, 1.67). First pitch is set for 11:00 a.m. (PT). Catch all of the action live online at rivercats.com, on the MiLB First Pitch app, or on Money 105.5 FM.
Additional Notes
• Blach's seven punch outs, beyond being a season-high for him, were the most he has recorded in a game since he struck out seven Padres on July 23, 2017.
• The River Cats offense was sent down on strikes 15 times on Saturday night, tying a team-high that they set back on April 24 while facing the Tacoma Rainiers.