The Rainiers let one get away last night in Round Rock, taking a 6-0 lead into the 7th inning stretch, a 6-1 lead into the eighth inning, and a 6-4 lead into the ninth inning before losing 7-6 on an error.
That was a new story for the Rainiers in 2021. During this championship season, these types of things just haven’t been happening. Tacoma is now 55-2 in games in which the team is leading at the end of the eighth inning.
It wasn’t the way the Rainiers wanted to open the series at Round Rock – but maybe it means good things are about to happen. When Tacoma last played the Express back in May, the Rainiers lost the series opener and fell to 5-8 on the year. Tacoma won the next five games of the series and has not been under .500 since.
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The Rainiers hit one home run yesterday – Brian O’Keefe, a solo shot off Cole Winn to lead off the fourth inning – raising their first $50 for Rebuilding Together South Sound. MiLB is donating $50 to the charity for every Tacoma Rainiers home run during the Triple-A Final Stretch. Nine games remain for the Rainiers to add on.
RAINIERS DAILY
YESTERDAY: The Rainiers dropped the opening game of the Triple-A Final Stretch, a 7-6 decision at Round Rock in which the Rainiers led 6-0 at the 7th inning stretch. Robert Dugger pitched six shutout innings of one-hit ball in his best start of the season. Luis Liberato, Jose Godoy, and Jantzen Witte each had two hits for Tacoma.
TODAY: Tacoma (73-48, 0-1) at Round Rock (62-58, 1-0), 5:05 PT.
OPPONENT AFFILIATION: Texas Rangers.
OPPOSING MANAGER: Kenny Holmberg.
SEASON SERIES: Tacoma leads, 5-2.
PITCHERS: RHP Ryan Weber (4-1, 3.61) at LHP Jake Latz (1-0, 3.75)
HOT HITTERS: Jantzen Witte has gone 78-for-236 (.331) over his last 60 games… Dillon Thomas has reached base in 13 straight games, going 14-for-41 at the plate during that time… Jose Godoy has hit safely in eight of his last nine games… Luis Liberato is 13-for-26 over his last eight games… the Rainiers are 41-22 when Donovan Walton is in the starting lineup, and 32-26 when he is not.
OPPONENT NEWS: Round Rock might be the toughest opponent the Rainiers have faced in a while. The Express have won or tied their last four series, and are 17-9 over the last 26 games… star catcher Yohel Pozo was just sent back to Triple-A… top prospect Josh Jung has gone 19-for-42 during a ten-game hitting streak… Jack Kruger has an eight-game hitting streak.
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 had a big comeback win at Oakland yesterday, finishing a four-game road series sweep and remining in AL Wild Card contention.
- Cal Raleigh made the most of a rare start yesterday, homering during the comeback.
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