MEMPHIS, TN - The Sacramento River Cats (45-66) fell behind in the first and could not dig themselves out of the early hole, eventually dropping the series finale with the Memphis Redbirds (70-41) 7-3.

After his best performance of the season his last time out in which he allowed two hits in five innings, River Cats starter Jordan Johnson allowed three earned runs in the bottom of the first inning alone. The Elk Grove native finished with four runs on eight hits with two strikeouts in a season-high six innings pitched.

In the second inning, Ronnie Freeman was able to cut the deficit to 3-1 with an RBI-single to right field. Sacramento also made some noise in the ninth inning when Peter Bourjos roped a two-run single to center field as part of his 2-for-5 night. The River Cats managed to tally ten hits on the evening, outhitting the Redbirds, but were unable to take advantage of key opportunities throughout the game and would eventually fall 7-3.

Outfielder César Puello made his River Cats debut as a pinch hitter in the seventh, grounding out to first base in his only at bat. The 27-year old Dominican spent most of the year with the Reno Aces before being released on August 1, and signed with the San Francisco Giants on a minor league deal.

The River Cats travel about 200 miles east to take on the Nashville Sounds for a four-game set beginning Saturday. Right-hander Casey Kelly (10-8, 4.82) takes the mound for the River Cats and the Sounds will send fellow righty Chris Bassitt (3-4, 4.34). First pitch is set for 5:05 p.m. (PT). Catch all of the action live online at rivercats.com, on the MiLB First Pitch app, and on the air on Money 105.FM.

Additional Notes

· Reliever Derek Law tossed another scoreless inning out of the bullpen and has allowed just two earned runs in his last 13 appearances to improve his season ERA to 3.74.

· The River Cats got at least one hit from eight of their nine starters, and ten hits combined. They were 2-for-8 with runners in scoring position on Friday and left eight runners on base.