I hope everyone is enjoying the final embers of the 4th of July holiday weekend. As someone who travels with the team, it’s been really different for me this year. This is the first time in twenty years the Rainiers weren’t on the road for the 4th, and the first time ever that Tacoma was home for the entire holiday celebration.
If there is anything I learned yesterday, attending my first 4th of July BBQ in 28 years(!), it’s that Tacoma loves fireworks. I guess I should have already known that, considering the big crowds we get at Cheney on Fireworks Nights, but I had no idea how many people light off their own on the 4th. Seems like a good time to mention that the Rainiers will have Friday Night Fireworks at Cheney Stadium after the games on July 16 and 23rd.
Tacoma got back into the win column yesterday, beating Reno 7-3. In a season full of “bullpen games” this may have been the best one so far. Brian Schlitter, Zack Weiss, Vinny Nittoli, Aaron Fletcher, and Ryan Dull combined to limit the Aces to just two hits over the first eight innings. Reno did get two more hits and score two runs in the ninth, but the Rainiers had the game in hand by that point.
The fact that this conglomeration of strong pitching occurred when Tacoma was facing Reno and it’s league-leading offense made the day even better. Let’s see if the Rainiers can keep the Aces bats on ice for another game tonight.
RAINIERS DAILY
YESTERDAY: Tacoma had a great bullpen day on Sunday, using six pitchers to limit Reno to four hits in a 7-3 win. Jose Marmolejos went 3-for-3 with a triple, Jarred Kelenic homered, and Donovan Walton drove in three runs to lead the Tacoma offense.
TODAY: Reno (34-18) at Tacoma (27-23), 7:05.
OPPONENT AFFILIATION: Arizona Diamondbacks.
OPPOSING MANAGER: Blake Lalli.
SEASON SERIES: Reno leads, 6-4.
PITCHERS: RHP Zach Lee (2-1, 4.46) at RHP Logan Verrett (2-2, 5.67)
Yup, that’s the former Rainier Zach Lee, he of the Chris Taylor Trade.
HOT HITTERS: Jose Godoy had his eight-game hitting streak end yesterday… Jantzen Witte, Donovan Walton, and Ty Kelly have four-game hitting streaks… Jack Reinheimer has gone 10-for-28 with four doubles and two homers over his last eight games.
OPPONENT NEWS: Reno’s five-game win streak ended yesterday… the Aces 34-18 record is the best in the league… recently outrighted Ildemaro Vargas is Reno’s all-time hit leader… Jamie Ritchie is second in the league with a .378 batting average… outfielder Stuart Fairchild graduated from Seattle Prep class of 2014. He’s hot right now, going 9-for-21 with four home runs in his last six games.
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 took down the Texas Rangers on Sunday, 4-1, and won the series. They are off today.
- Starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi is the Seattle Mariners all-star representative.
- MLB has released the entire rosters for the All-Star Game, next Tuesday at Coors Field. Two former Rainiers made it, both first timers: Mike Zunino of the Tampa Bay Rays and Chris Taylor of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
- Here are Lauren Smith’s weekly Mariners Takeaways from The News Tribune. In this story, Jarred Kelenic talks about returning to the MLB All-Star Futures Game, and how he’s doing since returning to Tacoma.
- Tacoma’s Ty Kelly and Zack Weiss were officially announced as members of the Team Israel roster for the Tokyo Olympics. Congratulations, guys!
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