One thing we have not talked about this year is sweeping a series. The reason is simple: with the new schedule this year, teams are playing six-game series. It is really, really difficult to sweep a six-game series.
Winners of five in a row, Tacoma has a chance to sweep the six-game series from visiting Salt Lake tonight.
There has been just one six-game series sweep in Triple-A West this year, and it also involved Salt Lake – but it was a long time ago. Round Rock won six straight at Salt Lake in a series that began on May 27.
I checked the game-by-game results for all of the other teams in the league, and there have been no other six-game sweeps. Several times a team won five-of-six, usually dropping a game in the middle of the series. The Rainiers did that recently, on the last trip to Reno at the beginning of August.
We’ll see if the Rainiers can get the sweep tonight at 7:05.
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After tonight’s game the Rainiers have a day off on Wednesday before starting another big series at first place Reno on Thursday. Tacoma is one game behind Reno at the moment – as is Sugar Land, which is on a tear going 12-2 over the last 14 games.
There will be no blog post on Wednesday. We’ll be back with a post prior to the opener in Reno on Thursday afternoon.
RAINIERS DAILY
YESTERDAY: The Rainiers belted three home runs – all with men on base – and out-slugged Salt Lake on Monday night, 10-5. Marcus Wilson hit a three-run homer in the first inning, Eric Filia lofted a two-run blast in the third, and Jantzen Witte put the game away with a three-run dinger in the eighth. Logan Verrett started and pitched five innings to earn his team-leading eighth win of the season.
TODAY: Salt Lake (43-57) at Tacoma (59-42), 7:05.
OPPONENT AFFILIATION: Los Angeles Angels.
OPPOSING MANAGER: Lou Marson.
SEASON SERIES: Tacoma leads, 13-10.
PITCHERS: LHP Brian Johnson (3-4, 6.15) at RHP Darren McCaughan (5-4, 4.44)
Johnson started the opening game of this series and the Rainiers scored six runs against him in five innings.
ROSTER MOVES: Nothing to report yet today. The Mariners are allowed to expand their roster by two spots on Wednesday (September 1st), so look for them to call up two players.
HOT HITTERS: Jantzen Witte has reached base safely in 19 straight games, and he has gone 59-for-173 (.341) over his last 43 games. His home run last night was his 13th of the year, establishing a new personal career high… Donovan Walton has hit seven homers in his last 19 games and has a new career high of 12 home runs in a season… Sam Travis has gone 36-for-109 (.330) over his last 27 games… Jack Reinheimer has an eight-game hitting streak, and he has reached base in 21 straight games… Jose Godoy has a four-game hitting streak.
OPPONENT NEWS: Salt Lake just had a rough series at home against Reno, dropping five of six games… Michael Stefanic is batting .359 with six homers during the month of August… Jake Gatewood is fourth in the league with 22 home runs… Bees reliever Tim Peterson was born in Tacoma and graduated from Emerald Ridge High School in Puyallup.
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 missed an opportunity to gain ground in the wild card chase last night, dropping a tough 4-3 decision to Houston. The M’s are 1-4 on their current homestand after going 6-2 on the previous road trip.
- Here’s the Seattle Times story on the call-up of Jose Marmolejos.
- M’s Double-A pitching prospect Matt Brash and a deep teenage sleeper appear in this week’s edition of the Baseball America Prospect Hot Sheet.
- Fangraphs takes one of its patented deep dives into the improvement of Mariners reliever Paul Sewald. I still find it amazing/amusing that he was the Rainiers opening day starter.
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