River Cats' ninth-inning rally comes up short in 7-5 loss

West Sacramento, CA - The Sacramento River Cats (24-38) rallied in the ninth inning to climb within two runs of the Reno Aces (40-24) Sunday afternoon at Raley Field, but that was as close as they would get, dropping the series finale 7-5.

Sacramento scored first for the fourth straight game thanks to an RBI-single by Ali Castillo in the second inning. The two teams traded blows over the next two frames and entered the sixth inning tied 3-3.
Dan Slania was on his way to having his best start this year with the River Cats until he unraveled in the sixth, allowing three runs on three hits in his final inning. An inning later, Reno tacked on another run off the newest River Cats reliever Heath Slatton to take a four-run lead.
In the ninth, Sacramento loaded the bases before Ryder Jones drove a base hit up the middle, scoring two and making it a 7-5 ballgame. The Aces then brought in closer Jimmie Sherfy, who struck out Mac Williamson and got catcher Tim Federowicz to ground out to end the game.
Sacramento will have an off day tomorrow, their fourth of the season, and start a four game series against the Las Vegas 51s on Tuesday. The River Cats' Tyler Beede (3-3, 4.37) will face the 51s' Wilfredo Boscan (2-3, 4.47). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. (PT) and the game can be heard live online at rivercats.com and on the air on ESPN 1320.
Postgame Notes
Can't Stop Castillo: Ali Castillo was 3-for-4 with two doubles and two RBI…now has five RBI over his last three games…had his first three-hit game of the season and his second two-RBI game…six of his seven RBI have come in June.
Slania: Dan Slania took the loss, his eighth of the season, allowing six runs (five earned) on seven hits while walking four and striking out five…surrendered his 14^th home run of the season…coming into this start, Slania had allowed five earned runs in his previous two June starts.
Look Out, Longball: With two home runs allowed, the River Cats have now allowed 60 home runs this season, the 10^th most by a pitching staff in the PCL.
Triple-A debut: Heath Slatton made his Triple-A debut today with the River Cats…the 23-year-old was the Giants' 18^th round pick in 2015 out of Middle Tennessee State…Slatton threw two innings of one run ball in his debut.
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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.