51s take advantage of walks, gain ground on first-place Sacramento

Eric Thames went 2-for-5 and drove in two runs, and the 51s benefited from 12 walks to beat the host Sacramento River Cats 6-3 in a Pacific Coast League game Thursday.

Thames doubled in Mike McCoy in the fifth inning to put Las Vegas (51-40) up 4-2 and added a run-scoring single in the ninth inning.

51s reliever Jerry Gil walked in a run in the bottom of the ninth before closer Chad Beck came on to retire Michael Taylor on a groundout with the bases loaded for his 11th save.

Second-place Las Vegas trails the River Cats (55-37) by 3½ games in the Pacific South Division.

The teams combined to issue 20 walks, including six in three innings by Sacramento starter Tyson Ross (3-2).

Starter Sean O'Sullivan (8-5) got the win, allowing two runs and four hits while walking five in five innings.

The 51s grabbed a 2-0 lead in the first inning on Yan Gomes' RBI single to left. A throwing error allowed Anthony Gose to also score on the play.

Gose, who was 2-for-4, added a run-scoring single in the second to put Las Vegas ahead, 3-0.