Sacramento Splits Doubleheader in Reno

RENO, Nev. - After a surprise rain storm postponed last night's scheduled game, the River Cats and Reno Aces competed in a doubleheader Tuesday night. After a two and a half hour rain delay set back first pitch of game one, the River Cats finally got things under way, splitting the two games with Reno (L, 1-2; W, 6-2).

Game One

Newly acquired Tommy Hanson (0-1, 4.50) made his River Cats debut in the opening game. Hanson struggled out of the gate, allowing three two-out walks in the first before escaping the bases-loaded jam. He finished his first Sacramento start going 4 innings, allowing 2 runs on 7 hits, walking 5 and striking out 2.

Sacramento had chances to strike, loading the bases with two gone in the third, but a groundout to shortstop ended the threat. Finally, in the seventh and final inning of game one, the River Cats converted on a rally as with runners on the corners and nobody out, Carlos Triunfel grounded out to drive in Sacramento's first and only run of the night.

Game Two

The River Cats finally got some offense going, as they struck for their first run in the fourth. With the bases loaded, Ty Blach helped his cause by hitting a sacrifice fly. Sacramento again loaded the bases in the fifth, and after a walk to Brett Jackson and a hit by pitch by Trevor Brown, the River Cats held a comfortable 3-0 lead. They added another run on an Adam Duvall sacrifice fly in the sixth, and two more in the seventh on a Trevor Brown RBI double and a Darren Ford RBI single.

Blach (7-8, 4.21) kept to his winning ways on Tuesday, recording his second consecutive win. He allowed just 2 runs on 6 hits, walking 1 and striking out 5 over 5.1 innings of work. The late start had no effect on Blach, as the second game of the double header began at after 10:30 p.m. and ended early Wednesday morning at 12:55 a.m.

This was the first doubleheader the River Cats have played in the 2015 season. Last season, the River Cats competed in three, winning two and splitting one.

The River Cats now head home to the warm weather of Sacramento to begin a five game series with the rival Fresno Grizzlies. The series will lead into the 2015 All Star Break, which occurs July 13-15. Pitching for the River Cats tomorrow will be right-hander Chris Stratton. Stratton is coming off of back-to-back 8 inning starts in which he allowed no runs and received no decisions in both. Opposing him will be Mark Appel (0-1, 10.38). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.

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The Sacramento River Cats are the Triple-A affiliate of the 2014 World Champion San Francisco Giants. The team plays at Raley Field in West Sacramento, consistently voted one of the top ballparks in America. River Cats Season Tickets, Mini-Plans, and Flex Plans can be purchased for the 2015 season by calling the River Cats Ticket Hotline at (916) 371-HITS (4487). For more information about the River Cats, visit www.rivercats.com. For information on other events at Raley Field, visit www.raleyfield.com.