River Cats fall to Rainiers in road trip finale

TACOMA, WA -- The Sacramento River Cats (7-11) were held to just one run on eight hits thanks to an impressive outing from Tacoma Rainiers (10-8) starter Rob Whalen. The 24-year old right-hander struck out nine River Cats in 6.2 innings as the Rainiers defeated the River cats 4-1.
The Rainiers picked up two early runs in the first inning on a two-out, two-run single off the bat of catcher Mike Marjama. Three of the six hits surrendered by River Cats starter Tyler Herb came in that first frame. In the four innings following, Herb struck out four and allowed just four baserunners.
Whalen was knocked out of the game in the seventh when the River Cats strung together four hits, highlighted by Chase d'Arnaud's run-scoring single which plated third baseman Ryder Jones with two outs. Sacramento threatened again in the ninth, but Rainiers closer Erik Goeddel escaped when right fielder Cameron Perkins tracked down a fly ball in the gap.
After their first scheduled day off of the season, the River Cats will begin a five-game series back at Raley Field against the Reno Aces. Game one starter Dereck Rodríguez (0-0, 4.97) will face six-year major-league veteran Kris Medlen (0-2, 4.73). First pitch Wednesday evening will be at 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 105.5 FM.
Additional Notes
• Ryder Jones is heating up. He has hits 10 hits, including three doubles, in his last five games and has struck out just once in his last 23 plate appearances.
• The River Cats have now allowed 24 runs in the first inning through 18 games this season - more than any other inning.
• Two notable hitting streaks came to an end Monday afternoon in Tacoma, as second baseman Alen Hanson went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts to conclude his streak at eight, while Steven Duggar finished 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout to have his streak halted at seven.