Cats Briefly Level with Ellis Homer, but Express Secures 8-3 Win

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Drew Ellis provided all the offense for the Sacramento River Cats in their series opener with the Round Rock Express, but in the end, it was Round Rock taking an 8-3 win on Tuesday.

Drawing the start for the River Cats (38-32/74-71) on a rehab assignment was lefty Carson Whisenhunt, who could not escape damage in the first as he allowed a trio of runs (two earned) while yielding three hits. It was his 20th overall start of the season, which makes him just the second River Cat (along with Mason Black) to start 20 or more games in consecutive seasons since the start of 2017.

Whisenhunt checked out after 1.2 innings, but the offense checked in during the fourth as they put a pair of runners on in front of Ellis with two outs. A team that has struggled to find the big hit at times, Sacramento delivered a key two-out homer in the form of a three-run blast by Ellis that knotted the game at 3-3.

Unfortunately for the River Cats, the Express (41-29/75-70) dropped a four-spot during the top of the seventh, a frame that was highlighted by a three-run big fly from Trevor Hauver. That was three of his five RBI on the night, and he finished with a three-hit night thanks to a pair of doubles. One final run was scored in the top of the ninth on a sacrifice fly from Hauver.

Sacramento ended its game with seven hits, three of which came from the bat of Wade Meckler including a double. However, one of his hits was bittersweet as he collided with the Round Rock pitcher trying to cover first base on an infield hit but fell into fair territory and was called out.

Outside of the Meckler double and Ellis homer, only Jesus Rodriguez logged an extra-base hit with a double in the fifth inning, extending his hitting streak to a River Cats season best 13 games.

Down. 1-0 in the series, the River Cats will look to bounce back when the two teams meet again on Wednesday at 6:45 p.m. (PT).