Greater Nevada Field, home of the Reno Aces, has been one of the best hitter’s ballparks in professional baseball since it opened in 2009. Located at high elevation in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains, and with a wind blowing out to right field most of the time, you really see some high-scoring games here.
That was certainly the case last night, when the Rainiers had 21 hits, including five home runs, and scored 16 runs in a win at Reno. The Aces got into it too, putting nine runs on the board themselves and staying in striking range throughout.
Seven different Tacoma players had multiple hits. Erick Mejia and Forrest Wall led the way with four hits apiece, while Joe Odom and Jarred Kelenic each had three.
Kelenic had a chance to hit for the cycle. He had the three extra-base hits taken care of by the sixth inning and just needed the single to complete it. But he had only one more plate appearance, and he walked. Tacoma still has not had a cycle since Carlos Triunfel did it in 2013.
The Rainiers hit five home runs, with five different players going deep. That includes Drew Ellis and Joe Odom, who hit nearly identical homers to center field on back-to-back pitches from Taylor Widener in the sixth inning.
One remarkable stat from the game really stands out: Tacoma scored 12 of its 16 runs when there were two outs. That’s a lot of clutch hitting!
Tacoma has won the first three games of the six-game series at Reno. The last time the Rainiers visited Reno they won the first three games but lost the last three and had to settle for a series split. Hopefully this time they can get the series victory.
RAINIERS DAILY
YESTERDAY: The Rainiers set season highs for hits (21) and runs (16), and tied the season high for home runs (five) in a 16-9 win at Reno. Erick Mejia and Forrest Wall each had four hits, and Jarred Kelenic came a single away from hitting for the cycle. Tacoma has won five straight games, which is the team’s longest winning streak of the season so far.
TODAY: Tacoma Rainiers (35-45) at Reno Aces (41-40), 6:35.
OPPONENT AFFILIATION: Arizona Diamondbacks.
OPPOSING MANAGER: Gil Velazquez.
SEASON SERIES: Tacoma leads, 8-7.
PITCHERS: RHP Darren McCaughan (5-4, 5.16) at RHP Corbin Martin (4-3, 6.46)
ROSTER MOVES: Yesterday the Mariners activated Ty France from the injured list, and optioned outfielder Marcus Wilson to Tacoma.
HOT HITTERS: Jarred Kelenic has hit safely in 11 of his last 12 games… Forrest Wall has reached base safely in 17 straight games, and he has a four-game hitting streak… Brian O’Keefe has hit safely in seven of his last eight games, going 12-for-35 with five home runs and nine RBI… Drew Ellis has a four-game hitting streak.
OPPONENT NEWS: Reno just played a six-game home-and-home against Sacramento. They went 1-2 against them at home, and then 2-1 at Sacramento… Jake McCarthy is back in Triple-A, where he is hitting .380 for the season (he’s hit .228 in the big leagues with Arizona this year). He has a seven-game hitting streak… Wilmer Difo has a six-game hitting streak… the Aces are taking a look at former Pittsburgh Pirates starting shortstop Cole Tucker… infielder Jake Hager, who had a stretch with Tacoma last season, was optioned to Triple-A Reno yesterday.
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 cruised to an 8-3 win over Toronto last night and reached the .500 mark for the first time since early May.
- The Mariners Notebook has items on Ty France‘s return and other injured players.
- The World Baseball Classic is returning in March.
June 8, 2023