Sacramento Scores 11 to Split Series with Round Rock

ROUND ROCK, Tex. – Needing a win to split their six-game set, the Sacramento River Cats did just that as they scored all 11 of their runs in just three innings leading to a 11-6 win over the Round Rock Express on Sunday.

Starting things off hot, the River Cats (33-36/77-67) quickly took a 3-0 lead after their opening set of swings, putting each of the first five runners on base. After a Wade Meckler double and Casey Schmitt single, Trenton Brooks earned the first RBI on a bases loaded walk, while Hunter Bishop drove one in immediately following on a single into left field. The final run of the inning later scored on a double play.

However, the Express (32-36/69-73) found a way to comeback and steal a lead after the conclusion of the second, plating two in each the first and the second innings. In the second it was an RBI single from Trevor Hauver and a fielding error that allowed both to score, while Dustin Harris and Matt Duffy each singled home a run in the third.

Sacramento’s response was swift, producing their first four-run inning of the day in the top of the fourth. A single from Bryce Eldridge an a double from Brooks had two in scoring position, both crossing the plate immediately on a Bishop single through the middle. Brett Auerbach lined a double of his own, and later scored along with Bishop on a Blake Sabol single through the right side.

That took River Cats starter John Michael Bertrand off the hook for the loss, as the southpaw made his Triple-A debut and allowed four runs (only two earned) on four hits in 3.0 innings. He exited the game after shutting down the side in order during the third, including a pair of strikeouts to help him end with three.

Insurance was added for Sacramento in the top of the eighth, pouring on four more runs that included RBI singles from Brooks, Bishop and Sabol while Will Wilson drew a bases loaded walk for an RBI.

Picking up the win for Sacramento was Clay Helvey (7-6), as he worked 2.0 scoreless frames while walking one and striking out two.

Seven different River Cats tallied hits, four of which came from Bishop as he closed his day 4-for-6 with two runs scored and four RBI. Oddly enough, Bishop drove in the four runs without an extra-base hit, the first River Cat this season to do so and just the ninth River Cat to do so since 2005. Finishing 3-for-5 was Brooks, scoring twice and driving in two with a double.

Only six games remain in the season for Sacramento, and the River Cats return home to finish the year at Sutter Health Park as they battle the Sugar Land Space Cowboys in a six-game series beginning on Tuesday.