River Cats go to extras again, fall this time 6-5 to Cubs

Des Moines, IA - The Sacramento River Cats (49-66) and Iowa Cubs (54-66) went to extra innings for the second straight night but this time it was the home side who came out victorious, taking game two from the River Cats 6-5.

The River Cats bats came out hot from the get-go tonight, pushing three runs across in the first inning thanks to RBIs from Chris Shaw and Mac Williamson. The two corner outfielders collected five of the team's 12 hits tonight but the Sacramento offense managed just two runs over the next 10 innings.
After starter Matt Gage was relieved in the fifth inning, the River Cats bullpen allowed just one run over their combined 8.2 innings. Right-hander D.J. Snelten retired all nine Iowa hitters he faced, striking out four of them. With the loss, Sacramento is now 6-6 in extra-inning games.  
Sacramento will send right-hander Casey Kelly (5-3, 4.69) to the hill for game three to face his former club. Iowa will counter with right-hander Aaron Brooks (6-9, 6.10). First pitch is set for 10:08 a.m. (PT) and the game can be heard live online at rivercats.com and on the air on ESPN 1320 at 7:00 p.m. (PT).
Postgame Notes
Shaw: Left fielder Chris Shaw matched a team-high by collecting a base hit for the 12^th consecutive game (Arroyo, 4/8-19)…owns a .362 (17-for-47) batting average with seven RBI, eight runs and six doubles over that span…registered his fourth three-hit game with the club tonight.
Upton Jr.: Centerfielder Justin Upton Jr. finished the night 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored in his first game with River Cats since July, 1…played six innings before being replaced by Slade Heatchott.
Mac: Right fielder Mac Williamson had his second two-double game of the season…came into tonight's game 3-for-18 in his last five games.
Gage: Left-hander Matt Gage went four innings tonight, allowing a season-high 11 hits and five earned runs…has only managed to go more than four innings in three of his seven starts…now owns a 10.38 ERA in four road starts (20 ER, 17.1 IP).
August Rush: The River Cats collected 12 hits tonight, their first double digit hit game this month…are now hitting .219 as a team in August…tonight marked the first time playing back-to-back extra innings games this year.
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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 2017 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.