Cats Produce 11 Straight Runs for Comeback Victory Over Aces

RENO, Nev. – Eleven straight runs helped the Sacramento River Cats overcome a four-run first inning deficit, storming back against the Reno Aces to take an 11-5 victory at Greater Nevada Field on Wednesday.

Starter Seth Lonsway failed to make it out of the bottom of the first for the River Cats (32-21/68-60), surrendering four runs on a trio of hits and four walks. Former River Cat Aramis Garcia and Ivan Melendez both had RBI knocks for the Aces (15-38/52-76), while the third run in the frame crossed the plate on a wild pitch from Lonsway.

That lead for Reno held until the top of the fourth when one swing of the bat from Maro Luciano cut the deficit in half, as he made the Aces pay for a leadoff walk to Bryce Eldridge by blasting his 22nd homer of the year out to left center on a 1-0 offering. His 22 homers on the year are tied for the lead of all San Francisco Minor Leaguers along with Eldridge.

Two innings later and Grant McCray was credited an RBI on a fielder’s choice to second base, which due in part to his blazing speed as he burned his way down the line to ensure no double play was turned while allowing Sam Huff to score a run.

Luciano was involved in Sacramento’s trio of runs during the seventh, as his double in front of a Tyler Fitzgerald walk set up a go-ahead three-run blast by Sam Huff. Ready in a 2-2 count, Huff connected on his second of the year out to left center, with both of his homers coming against left-handed pitchers on the road this season.

The River Cats added five runs of insurance between the eighth and the ninth innings, all of which started when Eldridge connected on an RBI single up the middle in the eighth. In the ninth it was an Osleivis Basabe double that scored the first, while Jesus Rodriguez smashed his first Sacramento homer when he took position player Andy Weber deep for a two-run shot to left.

Sacramento’s bullpen all contributed to the victory on the night, starting with Sean Hjelle who went 3.1 innings and allowed just one hit and walk while striking out three and stranding three inherited runners. Earning the win was Braxton Roxby (2-1), his second of the season as he worked two perfect innings with three strikeouts. Trent Harris was given his sixth hold with a scoreless 1.1 relief frames with one hit, two walks and three strikeouts.

Luciano was the leading force at the dish with a trio of hits, ending his night 3-for-4 with two runs scored, two RBI, and a triple away from the cycle. Eldridge and Hunter Bishop both finished 2-for-5 with a run scored, the latter doubling while the former drove in a run and walked.

Tonight’s win marked the ninth in a row over the Aces, leaving the River Cats just three wins shy of their franchise record 12 straight victories from May 28 through July 7, 2010.

Tomorrow the River Cats will go for 10 straight when the two teams meet at Greater Nevada Field beginning at 6:35 p.m. (PT).