The Tacoma Rainiers are in clinching position, as they can lock up the Triple-A West Championship with a victory tonight in El Paso. It would be Tacoma’s first league championship since 2010.
Tacoma has a three-game lead over Sugar Land with four games left in the regular season. Since Tacoma wins the tiebreaker over Sugar Land, a win tonight or a Sugar Land loss eliminates the Skeeters.
The Rainiers have a four-game lead over Reno. The Aces would have a higher winning percentage than the Rainiers if they pulled into a tie on the last day of the season, so Tacoma needs one more win or a Reno loss to eliminate them.
The team wants to avoid scoreboard watching and would prefer to clinch on the field at Southwest University Park in El Paso. A win tonight is the way to do that.
Remember, there are no Triple-A playoffs this year. This for the league championship and the ring.
First pitch is set for 6:05 Pacific time. Tonight’s the night!
RAINIERS DAILY
YESTERDAY: Marcus Wilson launched a grand slam to cap a six-run rally in the top of the first inning and the Rainiers coasted to an 11-5 win at El Paso on Friday night. Wilson added a double and finished the game with five RBI. Taylor Trammell and Jantzen Witte also homered for the Rainiers, and starting pitcher Ryan Weber worked six innings to earn the win.
TODAY: Tacoma (71-45) at El Paso (44-72), 6:05 PT.
OPPONENT AFFILIATION: San Diego Padres.
OPPOSING MANAGER: Eric Junge. He’s serving as both pitching coach and interim manager.
SEASON SERIES: Tacoma leads, 5-3.
PITCHERS: RHP Darren McCaughan (5-4, 4.59) at RHP Jesse Scholtens (3-8, 5.10)
ROSTER MOVES: Yesterday the Mariners announced that Jose Marmolejos cleared waiver and was outrighted to Tacoma. Marmolejos is not yet here but is expected to report promptly.
HOT HITTERS: Jantzen Witte has a four-game hitting streak, and he has homered in his last two games. Witte has gone 76-for-224 (.339) over his last 57 games… Dillon Thomas has reached base in eight straight games, going 11-for-26 at the plate during that time… Jose Godoy has 11 hits during a five-game hitting streak… Sam Travis is 11-for-30 with three doubles and a homer over his last eight games… Alen Hanson has a five-game hitting streak.
OPPONENT NEWS: It’s been a tumultuous campaign for El Paso, which fired a coach and saw veteran manager Edwin Rodriguez resign mid-season… El Paso just went 2-5 during a series at Albuquerque. The Chihuahuas are struggling, having lost 12 of their last 14 games… Taylor Kohlwey has an 11-game hitting streak… Jose Azocar has a ten-game hitting streak, and he has ten stolen bases over his last 15 games… El Paso has former Rainiers Patrick Kivlehan, John Andreoli, and Parker Markel.
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 Mariners won the opener of a ten-game road trip by beating Kansas City last night, 6-2. Jarred Kelenic hit two home runs.
- The M’s were able to put the Red Sox series behind them.
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.
March 16, 2023