Eldridge, Matos Knocks Lift Cats to Victory Over Space Cowboys

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Trailing by one through most of the game, the Sacramento River Cats unleashed a pair of runs thanks to consecutive singles from Bryce Eldridge and Luis Matos to secure a 2-1 victory over the Sugar Land Space Cowboys in game four of the series on Friday.

The River Cats (35-38/79-69) had just two hits through seven innings, as a pitcher’s duel dominated the contest through the early goings. Taking the early lead was the Space Cowboys (43-29/92-55), pushing across a run in the top of the second after a leadoff triple by Trey Cabbage set up the inning. He did not wait on base long, scoring in the next at-bat on a sacrifice fly by Jesus Bastidas.

Sacramento had two quick outs as they started the eighth, but as has been seen before with a seven-run ninth inning against Las Vegas at Sutter Health Park on Sept. 1, the River Cats kept at it and found a way to wrestle away the lead. Singles from Wade Meckler and Thairo Estrada kept the inning alive for the newest River Cat Bryce Eldridge, who delivered in the clutch by ripping a line drive into right field that scored Meckler.

Just one batter later and the tie game was no more, as the River Cats took the lead after Luis Matos flicked a ball into left field that was just deep enough for Estrada to race home from second as the winning run.

On in the ninth was Tyler Myrick (S, 7), who earned his seventh save of the year by striking out one in a clean inning of work. That saved the win for Kolton Ingram (4-2), who appeared in relief and yielded only one hit while punching out two in the eighth.

Though he did not factor into the decision, Sacramento starter Trevor McDonald still turned in a quality start, his second of the season, after he allowed only one run on three hits while walking two and striking out three in 6.0 innings.

All six Sacramento hits came from different bats, but four came in the eighth inning with two outs that helped the River Cats improve to 18-14 in games decided during the final at-bat. Outside of the four hits in the ninth, Christian Koss was the first to reach base on a single in the third while Hunter Bishop did so later in the seventh.

Both sides are level at two games apiece in this final series of the year, and each side will look to gain the advantage when lining up for game five of the series on Saturday at 6:37 p.m. (PT) from Sutter Health Park.