The Tacoma Rainiers longest road trip of the season to date ends with a final game tonight in Albuquerque. First pitch is set for 5:35 Pacific Time.
A lot has happened in two weeks.
The road trip started with the Rainiers playing under acting manager Tony Arnerich while Kristopher Negron was away on paternity leave.
Tacoma won the first three games of the trip in Las Vegas, extending the team’s winning streak to seven overall. But the last three games in Vegas were another story: three straight blowout losses.
Then the trip moved to Albuquerque for six games against the worst team in the league, and Negron returned to the helm of the club. Tacoma won the first two and it seemed like all was right with the world once again. But then the plucky Isotopes took advantage of two straight Rainiers “bullpen games” and tied the series.
The Rainiers turned the tables last night, pulling out a gutsy 6-5 comeback win after trailing 5-0 just five batters into the bottom of the first inning.
We go into the final game of the journey tonight with Tacoma 6-5 overall on the trip, including a 3-2 record here in Albuquerque. Win tonight, win the road trip.
Wednesday is an off day (and this blog will take the day off as well). The Rainiers open a six-game homestand on Thursday at 7:05 against the first place Reno Aces.
In case you missed the news, Cheney Stadium is now all0wed to open at full capacity starting Thursday, and the team will have a Grand Re-Opening. We’d love to see you at the ballpark!
RAINIERS DAILY
YESTERDAY: Tacoma had an impressive comeback win, picking up a 6-5 victory after allowing five runs in the bottom of the first inning. Jose Marmolejos hit a pair of solo home runs, including one to tie the game in the top of the sixth inning. Jose Godoy drove in the go-ahead run in the top of the eighth with a two-out, two-strike RBI single. Wyatt Mills earned the win in relief with 2.2 scoreless innings, retiring all eight batters he faced with four strikeouts. Williams Jerez recorded the final out to notch his first save.
TODAY: Tacoma (25-20) at Albuquerque (15-32), 5:35 PT.
OPPONENT AFFILIATION: Colorado Rockies.
OPPOSING MANAGER: Warren Schaeffer.
SEASON SERIES: Tacoma leads, 3-2.
PITCHERS: LHP David Huff (1-1, 6.97) at RHP Brandon Gold (1-5, 7.09)
Albuquerque runs a five-man starting rotation, so Tacoma will face Gold for the second time in this six-game series.
ROSTER MOVES: Injured Seattle Mariners reliever Erik Swanson might pitch on a rehabilitation assignment for Tacoma today – he was supposed to yesterday, but was scratched most likely because of the rain (I haven’t had a chance to confirm that yet, but considering he’s been out with a groin injury it seems logical that they didn’t want him pitching in wet/slippery conditions).
HOT HITTERS: Jarred Kelenic has gone 8-for-19 with two homers and seven RBI during the first five games of the Albuquerque series… Cal Raleigh has hit safely in 33 of 38 games played this season, and he had a 23-game hitting streak… Jose Marmolejos has hit three homers in eight at-bats during the last two games… Jose Godoy has a five-game hitting streak… Jack Reinheimer has hit safely in six of his last seven games, going 10-for-26 with four doubles and two homers.
OPPONENT NEWS: Rio Ruiz has 26 hits during a 16-game hitting streak… ex-Rainiers infielder Taylor Motter has hit safely in seven of his last ten games, and Tacoma has walked him six times in this series… Greg Bird and Alan Trejo each have an eight-game hitting streak… the Isotopes just signed former Rainiers infielder Kelby Tomlinson.
BROADCAST: All games will be broadcast free on a live audio stream which is available right here.
Unfortunately, there is no traditional terrestrial radio station carrying the games at this time.
TRIPLE-A WEST SCOREBOARD: Follow all league games in real-time with links to Gameday screens right here.
STORIES YOU MIGHT LIKE:
- The Albuquerque newspaper has a story on Isotopes third baseman Rio Ruiz and his long hitting streak.
- Former Rainiers infielder Patrick Kivlehan – now with El Paso – was named the league’s Player of the Week.
- Here’s a week in review of the Sugar Land Skeeters – a team the Rainiers will be playing soon.
- The Mariners promoted touted outfield prospect Julio Rodriguez to Double-A Arkansas, where he’ll play until he goes to the Tokyo Olympics at the end of July. The Seattle Times has the story.
- Times columnist Matt Calkins writes that the pitcher inspections going on in baseball are needed – for now. Rainiers fans will see these in person on the coming homestand.
Listen to every home and away Tacoma Rainiers game for free HERE. You can also download the MiLB First Pitch app for a free and easy one-click listening experience at home, work or in your car. Watch an HD video broadcast of every game with an MiLB.TV subscription. Use code: RAINIERS to save $10 on an annual subscription.
About the Tacoma Rainiers
The Tacoma Rainiers are the Triple-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. The Rainiers are a member of the Triple-A West. Tacoma has been a Mariners affiliate since establishing the Rainiers moniker in 1995.
Find more information and purchase single game tickets here. Questions regarding season tickets can be directed to Tickets@WeRTacoma.com.
The most up-to-date news and notes about the Tacoma Rainiers and Cheney Stadium can be found at WeRTacoma.com, or by following the Rainiers on Twitter (@RainiersLand), Instagram (@tacomarainiers) and liking the team on Facebook.
We R Tacoma Team Store
The We R Tacoma Team Store is currently open Monday-Friday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. (non-game days) or until the end of the game on home game days. Team Store purchases can also be made online 24/7. Grab your Rainiers gear, your Defiance ‘fit, and follow the team store on Instagram and Twitter.
June 6, 2023