Seven-Run Inning Spoils Snell’s Sterling Outing, Cats Fall 7-1

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Sacramento River Cats received another impeccable outing from Blake Snell on rehab, but even his effort was not enough to help Sacramento rise above the Reno Aces on Wednesday as Reno walked away victorious, 7-1.

From the jump Snell was in a groove, striking out each of the first four Aces (8-1/43-41) hitters. In fact, Snell retired each of his first 11 batters faced before issuing a free pass, and in total faced just one batter over the minimum in his five innings of work. His last strikeout came in the fourth, and the southpaw induced two groundouts plus a lineout in his final frame.

Unfortunately, the River Cats (3-5/47-37) could not get the offense going in that time, receiving just one hit and leaving one stranded. That left the door open for Reno after Snell exited in the fifth, and the Aces struck for a seven-run inning during the sixth that swung all the game’s momentum. All runs scored in the frame came with two outs, building a rally consisting of four hits, three walks (one intentional), and one hit batsmen. Highlighting the rally was an RBI ground rule double from Deyvison De Los Santos.

Try as Sacramento might, the River Cats could plate only one which came in the home half of the eighth when Marco Luciano lined a single into center field that scored Brett Auerbach, who had singled and advanced into scoring position on an error that occurred with a fielder’s choice.

Tagged for the loss was Clay Helvey (4-4), who allowed all seven runs on three hits in 0.2 innings of work. Meanwhile, Justin Garza (1.1 innings) and Julio Rodriguez (2.0 innings) each finished off the night with scoreless outings.

Sacramento finished with just three hits on the night, with the last of the three coming from Logan Porter who finished his night 1-for-4.

The final three games of this series will take place in Reno, Nev., starting with game four of the series on Independence Day beginning at 6:45 p.m. (PT).