Gavello Grand Slam Difference in 8-4 Sacramento Victory

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Runs early and often helped the Sacramento River Cats capture their first win of their series with the Las Vegas Aviators on Thursday, putting the game out of reach with a five-run sixth that was highlighted by a Thomas Gavello grand slam for an 8-4 win.

The River Cats (35-25/71-64) struck for a run in the bottom of the second when Tyler Fitzgerald started the frame with a solo shot, his fifth of the season with Sacramento. An inning later and the River Cats doubled the lead, turning a Jesus Rodriguez single into a run when Brett Wisely ripped his own single into right center.

Bryce Eldridge joined the home run party in the bottom of the fifth with his 17th Triple-A blast of the campaign, smashing a 1-2 offering the other way to left field for his team-leading eighth opposite field homer of the season. Overall for Eldridge it was his 24th home run of the 2025 season (when combined with Double-A Richmond), which is a new single-season career best for the Virginia native.

Though the Aviators (27-33/76-59) finally made it on the scoreboard in the top of the sixth when a double play ball from Alejo Lopez brought home Euribiel Angeles, who had reached with a leadoff single through the left side.

Then came the big inning of the night for the River Cats, loading the bases with a walk, Tyler Fitzgerald single, and Hunter Bishop fielder’s choice sacrifice bunt in which no outs were recorded. Though Osleivis Basabe, the top clutch hitter on the team, did not deliver, Gavello did in a big way by crushing his first grand slam of the season. Overall it was the second of his career, the first coming on June 27, 2024 with Eugene (A+) against Tri-City. Eldridge earned one final RBI in the game with a sacrifice fly that scored Wade Meckler.

Las Vegas put together a mini rally but could not get closer than four runs, as the Aviators scored three times that included a trio of hits as well as an error.

Picking up the win for the River Cats was Mason Black (2-10), who allowed three runs on four hits over six innings. Black had entered with a scoreless streak of 10 innings against Las Vegas, and though it came to an end he still has a 1.69 ERA over three games.

Sacramento ended the night with eight hits, but only Fitzgerald had multiple knocks by going 2-for-4 with his homer and two runs scored. Meanwhile, Eldridge and Gavello had their only hits of the night go for home runs, while Rodriguez was 1-for-3 with a run scored and a pair of walks.

Still trailing 2-1 in the series, Sacramento will look to level the set when the two teams battle at Sutter Health Park beginning at 6:45 p.m. (PT).