Mac and Slater go back-to-back, lead River Cats to win

The Sacramento River Cats (21-21) topped the Salt Lake Bees (24-18) 7-3 thanks to three home runs and another quality outing from Dereck Rodríguez. Mac Williamson and Austin Slater hit consecutive dingers to lead the offensive effort.

Dereck Rodríguez was solid once again for the Sacramento, pounding the strike zone and forcing weak contact throughout his seven innings. The right-hander was tagged by Bees' first baseman, and former River Cat Chris Carter for a two-run homer in the sixth, but other than that he was solid, allowing three runs on eight hits and one walk with six strikeouts.
Offense came from up and down the lineup on Friday, as eight of the nine starters collected at least one hit. Chase d'Arnaud went 3-for-5 with a home run and three RBI, and Williamson and Slater launched back-to-back homers in seventh to put the River Cats ahead for good.
Lefty Manny Parra came on to slam the door with a dominant final two-innings. He needed just 13 pitches to get the final six hitters.
The River Cats look to build on tonight's win as they take on the Salt Lake Bees again tomorrow evening. Sacramento will send right-hander Casey Kelly (3-4, 6.81) to the mound on Saturday to face righty Ivan Pineyro (0-4, 7.86). First pitch is set for 5:35 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 105.5 FM.
Additional Notes

• Outfielder Mac Williamson joined the River Cats on a Major League rehab assignment as he works his way back from concussion symptoms resulting from a scary diving tumble in foul ground at AT&T Park on April 24.
• Williamson and Slater's back-to-back homers marked the fourth time the River Cats have hit consecutive home runs this season. Sacramento went back-to-back just three times during the entire 2017 season.
• Austin Slater went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and a walk to extend his team-leading hitting streak to 14 games. Slater is hitting .423 during his hitting streak and his average is .385 for the season.

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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 2018 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.