Two Big Innings Undoing for Cats, Series Tied at 2-2

ROUND ROCK, Tex. – Two large innings were all that were needed to take down the Sacramento River Cats on Friday, as the Round Rock Express scored seven runs in two innings leading to a 7-5 win in game four of their series.

It was the River Cats (32-35/76-66) that reached the scoreboard first, doing so with their first set of swings thanks to the bat of Trenton Brooks. Up at the plate with one out and one on, Brooks hammered a 2-1 offering deep over the wall in right field to score Thairo Estrada, who had singled just prior.

Unfortunately, Sacramento did not have much time to build on the lead, as the Express (31-35/68-72) turned in a four-run third, scoring all four runs with two outs in the frame. A bases loaded walk forced home the first run, while a squeeze bunt for a hit brought in the second. After yet another bases loaded walk, a wild pitch was responsible for the fourth and final run.

Just an inning later and Round Rock found some insurance, pushing home another three runs the first of which came from a sacrifice fly by Dustin Harris. However, the other two came in a big way as Trevor Hauver was able to send a 1-1 pitch from Evan Gates out to right field for a two-run blast, pushing the score to 7-2.

Sacramento was able to produce some offense in the sixth and seventh, scoring two runs in the sixth thanks to a Casey Schmitt RBI double while Blake Sabol earned an RBI on a groundout. Meanwhile, it was Brooks driving home his third run of the game in the seventh, as he singled to the right side allowing Christian Koss to score after he had started the frame with a free pass.

Charged with the loss for Sacramento was starter Kai-Wei Teng (3-6), who was sharp early by striking out five through the first two innings. However, the third was his undoing, as he finished with a final line of four runs allowed only two hits but walked a season-high five and struck out six.

Two River Cats pitchers did toss scoreless outings, as Ryan Watson worked the seventh and walked one while striking out two, and Kolton Ingram tossed the eighth with two walks and two strikeouts.

Only Brooks had multiple knocks, driving in runs with both thanks to his homer in the first and single in the seventh. Meanwhile, Scmitt’s only knock was an RBI double, though that’s because he drew three walks in the contest, his first time this season doing so. With a single of his own, Estrada has now hit safely in nine straight games and is batting .341 (14-for-41) with nine runs scored, two doubles, two triples, one homer, and four RBI.

Even again in this series now at two games apiece, both teams will try to gain the upper hand when they meet for game five at Dell Diamond beginning at 5:15 p.m. (PT) on Saturday.