Villar, Ramos shine in walk-off Opening Night win
Apr 06, 2022 12:00AM ● By River Cats Media Press Release
River Cats right fielder Heliot Ramos (middle) is congratulated by teammates Ka'ai Tom (right) and Michael Plassmeyer (left) after hitting a two-run home run in the first inning of a 7-6 win against Sugar Land on Opening Day at Sutter Health Park on Tuesday, April 5 in West Sacramento. Photo courtesy of Ralph Thompson Photography
WEST SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) — Right fielder Heliot Ramos and third baseman David Villar powered the Sacramento River Cats (1-0) past the Sugar Land Space Cowboys (0-1) for a 7-6 Opening Night walk-off victory.
Villar, who was making his Triple-A debut, sent the Sutter Health Park crowd home happy with a ninth-inning game-winning single to score designated hitter Jaylin Davis.
Originally down 2-0 in the first inning, the River Cats wasted no time getting on the board. Following a leadoff walk to left fielder Luis González, Ramos, the Giants’ No. 6 prospect on MLB Pipeline, unloaded on a 3-0 pitch for his first home run of the season.
One inning later, down 4-3, Villar launched a 2-2 pitch to right field for his first career Triple-A home run. Villar, Double-A Richmond’s 2021 MVP, hit a career-high 20 home runs for the Flying Squirrels last season.
Young left-hander Michael Plassmeyer (0-0, No ERA) looks to make it two in a row with a win in his River Cats debut on Wednesday. He’ll take on right-hander Brett Conine (0-0, No ERA) at 6:35 p.m. (PT). Listen to Johnny Doskow call the game live online at rivercats.com or on the MiLB First Pitch app.
Additional Notes
Sugar Land first baseman JJ Matijevic earned a place in history, hitting the first home run ever for the Space Cowboys (a first-inning two-run homer off River Cats right-hander Jakob Junis). Davis had a solid first game, going 2-for-5 with a double and three runs scored. Sacramento right-hander Luis Ortiz, a former Rangers first round pick, allowed just one hit while striking out three in 2.2 scoreless innings in relief. Righty Mauricio Llovera added another 2.0 scoreless frames with three strikeouts.
About the Sacramento River Cats
Sutter Health Park is the West Sacramento home of the 2019 Triple-A Champion Sacramento River Cats, and a proud affiliate of the three-time World Champion San Francisco Giants. Sutter Health Park is consistently voted one of the top ballparks in America. Memberships, Mini-Plans, and hospitality rentals may be purchased now for the 2022 season by calling the River Cats Ticket Hotline at (916) 371-HITS (4487) or visiting www.rivercats.com. For information on other events at Sutter Health Park, visit www.sutterhealthpark.com.
