After two days of rainouts, it would be understandable if Gabriel Ynoa was a little rusty before his start on Monday against Sacramento. But he managed to shake off any cobwebs after giving up two runs in the first. River Cats Centerfielder Gorkys Hernandez led off with a walk. First baseman Ryan Lollis drove him in with a triple. Then a ground out by left fielder Mac Williamson brought in the second run and ended the scoring for Sacramento. Ynoa settled in to scatter four hits and a walk over the next four innings and struck out four.
In the bottom of the fifth, the 51s got one run back on a sacrifice fly by Ty Kelly. He drove in first baseman Marc Krauss who had walked and moved to third on a double by Centerfielder Brandon Nimmo. Then the bullpen came on to keep the game close as Vegas generated some offense. Chase Bradford pitched a scoreless sixth and was the beneficiary of his team’s comeback, getting credit for the win.
Las Vegas put up two more runs in the bottom of the inning to take the lead on four consecutive singles. Third baseman Matt Reynolds led off with a single, but was erased on a double play. Right fielder Travis Taijeron, new Vegas catcher Rene Rivera, Krauss, and Nimmo each singled to account for the two runs.
Zack Thornton pitched a clean inning and two thirds, yielding to Josh Smoker for the last out of the eighth. In the bottom of the inning, Rene Rivera was hit by a pitch and went to third on Nimmo’s single, his third hit of the night. After pinch hitter Danny Muno drew a walk, Kelly came up and hit a booming double to left scoring two. Muno was cut down at the plate to end the inning, but the five runs the 51s had racked up were plenty for closer Paul Sewald to work with as he pitched a perfect ninth to notch the save.
Top Performers:
Brandon Nimmo was 3-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Ty Kelly was 2-4 with 3 RBI. Krauss went 1-3 with an RBI. Rene Rivera went 1-3 with 2 runs scored in his first game with Las Vegas. The bullpen only gave up one hit in finishing out the last four innings.
The series against the River Cats continues Tuesday at 10:05 ET at Cashman Field. Sean Gilmartin will get the start for Las Vegas.
(photos by Jennifer Nieves)
Do you have a press pass? If not get one so I could read from you instead of Betsy that Herrera has a bum right shoulder and had it last year too.
I’ve tried to get one. Joe D. has requested one on my behalf. Still no luck. Don’t know what else to try. Any ideas?