River Cats come up just short in wild game vs. Chihuahuas

El Paso, Texas - The Sacramento River Cats (39-38) found themselves on the wrong side of a slugfest against the El Paso Chihuahuas (48-29), dropping the series opener 12-11.
Runs were not hard to come by in El Paso, Texas on Tuesday night. The lead changed hands seven times throughout the night, but in the end, the River Cats' final rally came up just short. Sacramento plated the go-ahead run in the top of the eighth on a Levi Michael RBI-groundout, which gave them a 10-9 lead. However, El Paso would respond with three in the bottom half of the inning to give them just enough breathing room to withstand the River Cats' ninth inning rally.
Sacramento tallied 14 hits on the night, just a few shy of their season-high of 17. Chris Shaw and Abiatal Avelino led the charge for the River Cats, as the duo combined for five hits, including two homers, and six runs batted in.
Catcher Ronnie Freeman returned to the lineup for the first time since June 9 and wasted no time, going 2-4 with a double and home run. Freeman has made the most of his at-bats in June, batting .473 (9-for-19) with two home runs and seven RBI in five games.
Lefty Conner Menez (0-0, 3.31) will take the hill in game two looking for his first win as a River Cat this season. The Chihuahuas will turn to lefty Dietrich Enns (7-5, 5.88). First pitch is set for 6:05 p.m. (PT). Catch all of the action live online at rivercats.com, on the MiLB First Pitch app, on Money 105.5 FM.
Additional Notes

• Skipper Dave Brundage was ejected in the top of the seventh inning after arguing a double play ball where they ruled base runner Chris Shaw out for running out of the base path. Brundage joins Mac Williamson as the only River Cats to be thrown out this season.
• The River Cats allowed 20 hits to El Paso after giving up 20 on Monday night to Las Vegas, making it the first time in franchise history that they have allowed back-to-back 20 hit games.

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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. Season Tickets, Mini-Plans, and Flex Plans can be purchased for the River Cats' 20th season by calling the River Cats Ticket Hotline at (916) 371-HITS (4487). The only place to guarantee official River Cats tickets is at www.rivercats.com. For information on other events at Raley Field, visit www.raleyfield.com.