Yesterday’s rain has brought us our first doubleheader of the season. Tonight the Tacoma Rainiers host the Reno Aces in two seven-inning games, starting at 5:05 at Cheney Stadium.
One ticket gets you in to both games. There will be a 30-minute break between games, and we’ll have our regularly scheduled Friday Night Fireworks when it’s all done. If you are holding tickets to last night’s game that got rained out and you don’t know what to do, read this.
Even with most of the Triple-A teams playing last night, and Tacoma not playing, the Rainiers still lead all 30 clubs in runs scored.
The doubleheader could test the team’s scoring average (currently 10.4 runs per game). Seven inning games mean two fewer innings to score in. And if the Rainiers win, they only bat in six innings. The scoring average is almost certainly going to take a hit tonight.
Both teams plan to use their regularly-scheduled starting pitchers in both games of the doubleheader. Since there is a league-wide off day on Monday, the teams can do this without being forced into a bullpen day next trip through the rotation.
RAINIERS DAILY
YESTERDAY: Last night’s game was rained out. Tacoma enjoyed its second consecutive stress-free win over Reno, rolling to a 12-0 victory on Wednesday night. All nine players in the starting lineup scored at least one run, and eight of the nine had at least one hit. Brian O’Keefe and Colin Moran each hit three-run homers during a six-run fourth inning. Jose Rodriguez, Fred Villarreal, Justin Topa, and Tayler Saucedo combined on a seven-hit shutout – the team’s first of the season.
TODAY: Reno Aces (2-3) at Tacoma Rainiers (3-2), doubleheader, 5:05.
OPPONENT AFFILIATION: Arizona Diamondbacks.
OPPOSING MANAGER: Blake Lalli.
SEASON SERIES: Tacoma leads, 2-0.
PITCHERS:
Game One: LHP Tommy Henry (0-0, 7.20) at RHP Darren McCaughan (1-0, 5.40)
Game Two: LHP Blake Walston (0-0, 0.00) at RHP Easton McGee (0-0, 8.31)
It’s the start of the second trip through the starting rotations for both teams. McCaughan got the win in the season opener at Oklahoma City, while Henry earned no decision in a Reno win over Las Vegas. The Rainiers faced Henry five times last season – he tossed a couple of gems, but also a couple of games where Tacoma hit him well. The second game features two starters who are new to the PCL this year.
ROSTER MOVES: None today as of blog posting time.
HOT HITTERS: Brian O’Keefe has homered in three straight games, with four total homers and 11 RBI… Mike Ford has hit safely in all five games, has driven in at least one run in all five, and has three homers…. Jose Caballero has reached base in 13 of his 17 plate appearances, for a .765 OBP… Mason McCoy has reached base safely in all five games… Delino DeShields has reached base safely in all four games he has played in… as a team, Tacoma leads Triple-A Baseball with 52 runs scored, a .332 batting average and a .472 on-base percentage.
OPPONENT NEWS: The defending PCL Champions opened the season by taking two-of-three from rival Las Vegas in a high-scoring home series… Blake Lalli returns as Reno manager after stepping away last year to work in player development… Diego Castillo went 5-for-5 on opening day Friday and has a four-game hitting streak… Buddy Kennedy homered in back-to-back games against Las Vegas and has hit safely in three straight… starting pitcher Brandon Pfaadt is the highest-rated prospect on the Reno roster… reliever Anthony Misiewicz and infielder Jake Hager are the former Rainiers on the Reno roster.
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.
PCL SCOREBOARD: Follow all league games in real-time with links to broadcasts and Gameday screens right here.
Links:
- The Mariners were off yesterday after a dismal opening homestand. The story includes an injury update on Rainiers first baseman Evan White.
- In the PCL, oft-injured Houston Astros top prospect Forrest Whitley tossed four innings allowing one run in a 5-2 win over Round Rock.
- Albuquerque pitcher Nick Mears has had an unusual career. The ‘Topes lost to Salt Lake in the eighth inning when former Rainier Kevin Padlo connected for a pinch-hit, go-ahead two-run homer.
- Many of us are old enough to remember what a great center fielder Andruw Jones was. His son Druw was a first round draft pick out of high school, and last night in his professional debut for Class-A Visalia he made this incredible circus catch.
June 1, 2023