The Sacramento River Cats sought revenge Thursday from the Fresno Grizzlies, who pummeled the Cats four games in a row a week ago, but fell short, losing 3-2.

“They threw the ball well,” said Cats shortstop Eric Sogard. “The pitcher was hitting their spots well. They had a few errors, but we couldn’t really capitalize on them.”

“We made a few ourselves, and they capitalized on them. So you know, it was a close game, a battle. They got this one,” Sogard said.

With less than half the season remaining, the River Cats lead the Pacific Southern Division with 54 wins and 36 losses, while Fresno trails Sacramento by 15.5 games.

The cool 73-degree weather Thursday night attracted a crowd of 10,511 to witness a close game between the Highway 99 rivals.

Fresno’s shortstop, Edgar Gonzales, scored Thursday’s first run of the night with a single hit by first baseman Brandon Belt on two errors.

River Cats catcher Josh Donaldson missed the throw from right fielder Michael Taylor, adding to the game’s six total errors, three from each team.

Sacramento’s designated hitter, Matt Carson, tied the game 1-1 in the third inning on a fielding error by first baseman Belt.

First basemen for the River Cats Daric Barton hit a single to center field, bringing in left fielder Jermaine Mitchell and gaining the lead 2-1 at the bottom of the third.

The tables turned in Fresno’s favor at the top of the fourth with shortstop Gonzales tying the game 2-2 by hitting a home run on a fly ball toward right center field.

After the third inning the River Cats were shut out by the Grizzlies’ pitcher combination, which included Fernando Cabrera, Vinnie Chulk and Jerry Blevins.

Fresno gained a 3-2 lead at the top of the sixth by a home run hit by Belt that hurled the ball into the right-field bullpen.

River Cats right-handed pitcher Guillermo Moscoso pitched six innings, striking out nine and permitted five hits, three runs and three walks, two of which were earned.

Fresno’s pitcher, Shane Loux, also pitched six innings, struck out four and allowed three walks.

Sogard said he thinks the River Cats will come back in Friday’s game.

“Hopefully we can get rid of the errors, hit the ball hard and find some holes and just keep doing what we are doing,” Sogard said. “Our pitching has been great, we usually play a good defense behind him, but we had a few missed cues tonight, so hopefully we can clean that up.”

The four-game series between the Highway 99 rivals continues with the second game starting at 7:05 p.m. Friday at Raley Field.