Harris’s Misplayed Fly Ball Haunts Express Fall to River Cats

A costly miscue by left fielder Dustin Harris proved to be the turning point for the Round Rock Express on Sunday as the Sacramento River Cats secured a 6-2 victory and took the series. Harris’s valiant leap at the left field wall had the height, but he misjudged the trajectory of the ball, allowing Drew Ellis to hit a two-run home run that gave the River Cats a lead they would never relinquish.

The Express started strong, with Justin Foscue hitting a two-run homer in the first inning to give Round Rock a 2-0 lead. It was Foscue’s 13th home run of the season, and he has now reached base in 20 consecutive games.

Sacramento finally broke a 17-inning scoring drought in the fourth inning. After singles from Luis Matos and Bryce Eldridge put runners on, Marco Luciano’s sacrifice fly drove in a run, cutting the deficit to 2-1.

The crucial moment came an inning later. Jesus Rodriguez singled to start the fifth, and then Ellis hit a towering two-run home run to give the River Cats a 3-2 lead. The blast was Ellis’s fifth of the year and put Sacramento in control.

The River Cats extended their lead in the seventh when Matos hit a three-run homer, making it 6-2. Sacramento’s pitching held the Express scoreless through the final 8.2 innings, capping off the win.

Despite the loss, the Express pitching staff had a strong week, leading the Pacific Coast League with a 2.17 ERA and 51 strikeouts.