Sacramento falls late to Fresno 7-6

Fresno, CA - The Sacramento River Cats (29-43) took a two-run lead into the eighth inning Friday night against the Fresno Grizzlies (36-38) but watched it slip away in their 7-6 defeat.

Sacramento got on the board first thanks to a three-run first inning in which they sent eight men to the plate. Two of the runs came courtesy of Mac Williamson who singled home Jarrett Parker and Ryder Jones. Williamson came through again in the fifth after the Grizzlies tied things up, this time driving in Parker with a sacrifice fly for his third RBI on the night.
Starter Michael Roth filled in admirably for scheduled starter Joan Gregorio, going a season-high 6.2 innings. The left-hander also threw a season-high 108 pitches during his outing while allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits. Fresno did their damage against the bullpen tonight however, pushing one across in the eighth off reliever Matt Reynolds and two more in the ninth with Derek Law on the mound.
The River Cats and Grizzlies will wrap up their four-game series with a doubleheader Saturday. Fresno will send right-hander Casey Coleman (2-4, 6.27) to the hill for game one and righty Dean Deetz (0-2, 20.25) will pitch game two. Sacramento has yet to announce their starters. First pitch for game one is set for 5:05 p.m. (PT) and the game can be heard live online at rivercats.com and on the air on ESPN 1320.
Postgame Notes
Not over 'til it's over: The Sacramento bullpen blew their 13^th save opportunity of the year and first by Derek Law…the River Cats are now 22-4 when leading after eight innings, the second worst mark in the league after New Orleans (21-4)…the club is 18-18 when scoring first.
Williamson heating up: Mac Williamson registered his second three-RBI game of the season tonight…he's now hitting .363 (8-for-22) over his last six games with five runs and seven runs knocked in.
Parker producing: Jarrett Parker scored three of the team's six runs tonight…he now has seven runs scored in his four starts with Sacramento…also walked twice tonight and now has five free passes…is hitting .273 with a .500 on base percentage.
Hwang: Jae-Gyun Hwang knocked in his team-leading 43^rd RBI of the season tonight…smacked his 19^th double, most on the team.
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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.