The Rainiers are back home tonight, ready to start a six-game series against first place Reno at
Cheney Stadium. With the Rainiers comes the good news that the ballpark is now allowed to be filled to 100% capacity – just in time for Independence Day weekend.
Tacoma is playing well, having posted a winning record (7-5) on the 12-game road trip. The club is alone in second place, four games behind first place Reno.
The Aces are very good, with a league-best record of 31-17. This is in stark contrast to their major league affiliate, the Arizona Diamondbacks, who have the worst record in MLB at 22-60. If you are wondering how that is possible, you aren’t the only one. You can bet the Arizona Diamondbacks front office is puzzling over this one as well.
Anyway, this series is Tacoma’s only chance to face the Aces here at home. The Rainiers do have two future six-game series in Reno, so there are plenty of head-to-head battles remaining.
We just got word today that, in a turnabout, there will be playoffs in the minor leagues this season (first link down below). Yet another result of these Covid vaccines doing their jobs. The Triple-A format is still being hashed out – I’ll have all of the details for you when they become available.
RAINIERS DAILY
YESTERDAY: The league was off yesterday. On Tuesday the Rainiers edged Albuquerque, 5-4, to take the series four games to two. Jarred Kelenic had three hits including a first inning leadoff homer, Jantzen Witte added three hits, and Luis Liberato connected for the go-ahead two-run single in the eighth inning.
TODAY: Reno (31-17) at Tacoma (26-20), 7:05.
OPPONENT AFFILIATION: Arizona Diamondbacks.
OPPOSING MANAGER: Blake Lalli.
SEASON SERIES: Tied, 3-3.
PITCHERS: RHP Humberto Mejia (1-3, 14.34) at LHP Ian McKinney (1-0, 6.23)
McKinney was promoted from Double-A at the beginning of this last road trip and made his first two Triple-A starts on the road, earning his first win in his last start.
ROSTER MOVES: Yesterday the Mariners optioned infielder Donovan Walton back to Tacoma.
HOT HITTERS: Jarred Kelenic went 11-for-24 with three homers and eight RBI during the Albuquerque series… Cal Raleigh has hit safely in 34 of 39 games played this season, and he had a 23-game hitting streak… Jose Marmolejos has hit three homers in 11 at-bats during the last three games… Jose Godoy has a six-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: Reno won the final two games of a series at Sacramento to salvage a split. The Aces 31-17 record is the best in the league… recently outrighted Ildemaro Vargas is Reno’s all-time hit leader, and he’s hit safely in four straight games… Jamie Ritchie leads the league with a .390 batting average… Drew Ellis has belted four homers over his last six games… Seth Beer is batting .433 (13-for-30) on Thursdays, which is $2 Beer Night in most Triple-A West cities… outfielder Stuart Fairchild graduated from Seattle Prep class of 2014.
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:
- MLB announced late yesterday that we will indeed have playoffs in the minor leagues this season. I’ll have all of the details for you once we get them.
- Tacoma Rainiers outfielder Jarred Kelenic has been chosen to represent the Mariners in the MLB All-Star Futures Game, July 11 at Coors Field. He’ll be joined by Double-A outfielder Julio Rodriguez and Advanced-A Everett pitcher Emerson Hancock.
- The Mariners knocked off Toronto in ten innings yesterday, 9-7, and are now 9-1 in extra innings this year.
- Mariners pitcher Hector Santiago was suspended ten games for having rosin on his glove.
- Santiago wasn’t cheating, Larry Stone writes. It’s more about MLB making a point.
- The top two teams in the Triple-A West East are facing each other starting tonight, with Round Rock hosting Sugar Land. The Austin Statesman has a preview.
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.
June 6, 2023