River Cats Claw Way to 5-4 Victory Over Rainiers

TACOMA, Wash. – A total team effort was needed for the Sacramento River Cats to be victorious on Saturday night, combining solid pitching from three Cats while the offense found timely hits in a 5-4 win over the Tacoma Rainiers.

Two hits and a walk helped produce an early run for the River Cats (22-28/66-59), as Cavan Biggio began the game with a single through the right side and alter scored on an RBI groundout from David Villar. However, the Rainiers (29-21/72-53) matched with a run of their own in the second on a Jake Slaughter RBI single, then took a lead of their own with two tallies in the third on a two-run blast from Luis Urais to left-center field.

The runs came against Sacramento starter Carson Whisenhunt, who was making his first start since before the All-Star break on July 13. Whisenhunt lasted just 3.0 innings and yielded the three runs, something he has now done in three straight outings.

Taking over for the Cats was Carson Ragsdale (2-3), who had his shutdown stuff working and wound up working the next five frames which is tied for the longest Sacramento relief appearance this season along with Daulton Jefferies (4/11 vs. ELP). While he finished with five strikeouts, he did allow one run on six hits, the marker coming in the fifth when a Ryan Bliss double later scored on an RBI single from Urias.

From that point forward the defense afforded the offense a chance to climb back into the game, which Sacramento did starting with two runs in the sixth. A walk and wild pitch moved a runner in scoring position, while a second walk and stolen base had a pair at the corners with no outs. Delivering was Will Wilson who turned in an RBI single, while Cavan Biggio contributed a sacrifice fly.

The following frame was when the River Cats jumped back in front for good, rallying with two runs on three consecutive hits that were culminated with a two-RBI double from Brett Wisely.

Though he ran into trouble, Tyler Myrick appeared to work the ninth, allowing one hit in a run-free ninth to remain perfect in save opportunities at 6-for-6. That preserved the win for Ragsdale, his second in his past three outings.

Both Matos and Wisely had a pair of knocks in the contest, Wisley driving in the tying and go-ahead runs on hiw double while Matos also posted a two-bagger. Five other River Cats had knocks on the night, including David Villar and Marco Luciano who both scored runs in the contest.

Sacramento will attempt to win the series outright when the two sides line up for the series finale on Sunday at 1:35 p.m. (PT) from Cheney Stadium.