Chihuahuas fall to Sacramento to lose third straight

The El Paso Chihuahuas had the tying and winning runs on base in the bottom of the ninth inning but lost to the Sacramento River Cats 4-3Fridaynight. It was just the fourth one-run loss in 13 one-run games for El Paso this year.

Trailing 4-1 in the eighth, the Chihuahuas scored twiceon a bases loaded walk by Carlos Asuaje and a bases-loaded error by Sacramento first baseman Travis Ishikawa. With the deficit at only one run, the Chihuahuas gained baserunners in the bottom of the ninth when Jabari Blash was hit by a pitch and Nick Noonan walked with one out, but River Cats’ reliever Michael Broadway struck out pinch hitter Austin Hedges and got Manuel Margot to pop out to end the game.

Sacramento starter Clayton Blackburn pitched 7.1 innings and allowed only one earned run, while also contributing offensively with a two-run double in the second inning. It was the third RBI hit in El Paso by a Sacramento starting pitcher this season.

Hunter Renfroe went 1-for-4 with a solo home run, his 13 th homer of the year, tying Ryan Schimpf for the team lead. El Paso relievers have not allowed a run in seven appearances this series.