Longoria and River Cats fall short with late comeback

WEST SACRAMENTO, CA - In a last-minute bullpen game and facing the Pacific Coast League's ERA leader, the Sacramento River Cats (43-60) fell to the Omaha Storm Chasers by the final score of 5-3.

San Francisco Giants third baseman Evan Longoria started Wednesday's game and played all nine innings at third base. This was the fourth game of his rehab assignment as he works his way back from a broken hand which he suffered on June 14 after being hit by a pitch. Longoria is hitting .214 (3-for-14) with two RBI in those four games.
After scheduled starter Chris Stratton was a late scratch, the River Cats looked to the bullpen and sent left-handed reliever Josh Osich to the mound for his first start since 2012. Osich allowed one earned run in two innings before Jose Valdez and Tyler Rogers took the reins for three excellent innings apiece to keep the game close. Right-hander Pierce Johnson pitched the final inning, allowing three runs on three hits.
The River Cats scored in the first inning after Ryder Jones singled home Longoria for his 49th RBI of the season. Sacramento had a tough time putting scoring chances together against Omaha starter Trevor Oaks, who held the River Cats to one run in 7.2 innings pitched, lowering his league-leading ERA to 2.05.
In the series finale, right-hander Shaun Anderson (0-0, 3.60) will be making his Raley Field debut after his Triple-A introduction last week in Fresno. The Storm Chasers will counter with lefty Jonathan Dziedzic (4-8, 3.88). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. (PT). Catch all of the action live online at rivercats.com, on the MiLB First Pitch app, and on the air on Money 105.FM.
Additional Notes
· Tyler Rogers was back to his dominant ways, holding the Storm Chasers to one hit in three innings to keep the River Cats in the game. In the process he lowered his home ERA to 2.16.
· The River Cats five through nine hitters went 8-for-18 on Wednesday and accounted for two runs and two RBI.