Sacramento Stung on Thursday by Bees, 8-1

Meckler Hits in 11th Straight Game, Sabol Homers for Only Run

Blake Sabol follows through on a swing during Sacramento's 8-1 loss to the Salt Lake Bees at Sutter Health Park on Aug. 15.

By Jake Ward

August 16, 2024

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Sacramento River Cats were unable to get much going during game three of their series on Wednesday, mustering only one run while the Salt Lake Bees secured an 8-1 victory. Blake Sabol was responsible for the only run by the River Cats (18-24/62-55), as he

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Sacramento River Cats were unable to get much going during game three of their series on Wednesday, mustering only one run while the Salt Lake Bees secured an 8-1 victory.

Blake Sabol was responsible for the only run by the River Cats (18-24/62-55), as he crushed the first pitch of the inning deep over the wall in center field onto the grass berm for his sixth dinger of the year. However, it could not compare to the offensive output of the Bees (23-19/55-61), who started their scoring in the top of the third.

Following a single tally, Salt Lake tacked on another two runs in the fourth thanks to an Eric Wagaman double and Elliot Soto single. Following a scoreless fifth, the Bees closed the contest with two runs in the seventh thanks to a Jake Marisnick two-run homer and three more in the top of the ninth behind a pair of walks and Keston Hiura double.

Sacramento starter Trevor McDonald (1-2) suffered the loss after allowing three runs on seven hits over 5.0 innings, striking out four and walking one. Ryan Watson made his Sacramento debut in the sixth with a scoreless frame, which was bested by Austin Warren in the eighth as he struck out the side while facing the minimum.

Earning the final out of the contest from the mound was Brett Auerbach, who made his first professional pitching appearance at any level. Needing the final out in the top of the ninth, Auerbach was able to induce a groundout that helped the River Cats escape further damage.

Thanks to a pair of knocks, Wade Meckler extended his hitting streak to 12 games, a stretch in which the outfielder is batting .350 (21-for-60) with four doubles, two triples, 10 RBI and eight runs scored. He was one of three River Cats to close with multiple knocks, joined by Auerbach, who was 2-for-3 with a double, and Donovan Walton, who was 2-for-4.

Still leading 2-1 in the series, Sacramento will attempt to earn their third win of the set when the two teams line up for game four of the series at 6:45 p.m. (PT) on Friday.