Gregorio, clutch hitting lift River Cats over Isotopes 5-4

The Sacramento River Cats (22-33) earned their third straight victory 5-4 in a back-and-forth, extra inning ballgame against the Albuquerque Isotopes (28-28). The three-game winning streak is their first such run of the 2017 season.

Joan Gregorio was excellent in this one, as he went seven innings, allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits while striking out two and walking none. The big righty settled for a no decision, throwing 96 pitches (68 strikes). He dropped his ERA to 2.97.
After a home run in Saturday's game that was a thing of legend, Mac Williamson hit another bomb on Sunday, this time to dead center. Tonight's blast came in the 4^th inning and tied the game at one.
Sacramento got huge hits up and down the lineup on Sunday. Outfielder Wynton Bernard came up with three big hits, each in critical situations, while veteran Juan Ciriaco had perhaps the biggest play of the game, executing a perfect squeeze play to drive in the go-ahead run in the 10^th inning. Steven Okert earned the win as he set the final six Isotopes hitters down in order.
The River Cats head back home tomorrow to face their rivals to the south, the Fresno Grizzlies. For Sacramento it will be the lefty Michael Roth (4-4, 4.44) kicking off the series, and opposing him for Fresno will be the right-hander Trent Thornton (2-2, 4.88). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. (PT) and the game can be heard live online at rivercats.com and on the air on ESPN 1320.
Postgame Notes
Big Mac: A night after hitting a home run that cleared the scoreboard in left center field at Isotopes Park, Mac Williamson get every bit of a 4^th-inning fastball and deposited it over the center field wall for his seventh home run of the season...in four games since being optioned by San Francisco, the right fielder is now 5-19 (.263) with 4 home runs and 9 RBI.
Gregorio: The big right-hander matched his season-high by getting through the 7th inning while only allowing two runs (one earned)…for the first time this season in 11 starts, Gregorio did not issue a single walk…was his 6^th quality start of 2017 and his 2.97 now ranks 4^th in the PCL among qualified pitchers.
Bernard Streaking: Bernard has started in center field in each game of this series and has collected 10 hits from the leadoff spot in the order…he was 10-21 (.476) during this series with four RBI and has raised his average to .231 on the season.
Three in a row: After four failed attempts at a three game winning streak this season, the River Cats finally won their third straight game for the first time this season…also picked up their third series win overall.
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The Sacramento River Cats are the Triple-A affiliate of the three-time 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 2017 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.