It’s early – very early – but the Rainiers are starting an interesting and potentially important six-game road trip to Reno tonight.
Tacoma is hot, having won five straight games. Reno has been the best team in the division since opening day, currently boasting a 13-5 record. Tacoma, at 10-8, is three games back and in second place.
The two teams play each other 24 times this year, and tonight is the first game. Reno was gifted a big advantage from the schedule makers: 18 of the 24 games are going to be played at Greater Nevada Field, where historically the Rainiers have had a very tough time winning games.
Much like Tacoma’s, Reno’s roster has been churning since the first week of the season. The Aces have continued to win despite the constant change, even posting a 9-3 record in road games thus far.
The series is going to be fun to watch. We’ll get a chance to see how Tacoma stacks up against the club that has the best record in the league at the moment. I like the Rainiers lineup and think they will put runs on the scoreboard in this series. The pitching situation is constantly fluid and hard to project, but results have been fine so far.
RAINIERS DAILY
YESTERDAY: The whole league was of yesterday. On Tuesday, Tacoma edged Round Rock, 4-2, for the club’s fifth straight win. David Masters hit his first Triple-A home run to tie the game in the third inning, and the Rainiers had six pitchers deliver exactly one scoreless inning in a true example of a “bullpen game.” David Huff started and lasted three innings in his first appearance of the season, and it appears that he may be stretched out as a starter.
TODAY: Tacoma (10-8) at Reno (13-5), 6:35 PT.
OPPONENT AFFILIATION: Arizona Diamondbacks.
OPPOSING MANAGER: Blake Lalli.
SEASON SERIES: 0-0.
PITCHERS: RHP Zack Weiss (0-0, 0.00) at RHP Josh Green (2-0, 2.25)
Weiss gets welcomed to the team in true 2021 Tacoma Rainiers fashion: in his Rainiers debut on Sunday he pitched the ninth inning with a one-run lead and earned the save. In his second appearance on Tuesday he worked the fifth inning. In his third appearance today he draws the start.
ROSTER MOVES: There were some late moves prior to Tuesday’s game: pitchers Fred Villarreal and Bernie Martinez were transferred back to Hi-A Everett, and pitcher Taylor Guerreri was activated from the injured list. After the game outfielder Luis Liberato (Dominican Republic) and pitcher Ben Onyshko (Canada) left the squad to play in the Baseball Americas Olympic Qualifier in Florida – they’ll be back around June 7 or so. Recently acquired infielder Travis Blankenhorn joins the team today.
HOT HITTERS: Taylor Trammell has hit safely in 11 of 12 games for Tacoma… Cal Raleigh has an eight-game hitting streak… Raleigh has five two-hit games during his streak, boosting his season average to .311… the Rainiers hit a grand slam in two straight games: Luis Torrens on Sunday and Ty Kelly on Monday.
OPPONENT NEWS: Reno has won each of its first three series to open the season with a 13-5 record… Nick Heath has a five-game hitting streak; he’s a speedster who is looking to steal… former PCL MVP Christian Walker has been with the Aces on a rehabilitation assignment; not sure if he’ll still be with them tonight… Daulton Varsho – a rare catcher/outfielder hybrid prospect – was optioned to Reno on Tuesday… Seth Beer is the official favorite Reno player of this blog, for obvious reasons… the Aces have one former Rainiers player: pitcher Zach Lee, most remembered today from the ill-fated Chris Taylor trade.
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 missed their chance for a sweep at Oakland, dropping Wednesday’s game 6-3… on Tuesday the M’s won in Oakland as J.P. Crawford had three hits.
- Marco Gonzales is close to returning to the Mariners rotation.
- Lookout Landing has a Tacoma-centric State of the Farm report. Please note that the transactions aren’t all correct (Max Roberts, for example, is still on the team), but we’re giving LL a pass because it’s all so confusing.
- Jarred Kelenic and Logan Gilbert are learning how to be major leaguers, Matt Calkins writes.
- The Seattle Mariners have eliminated 23 scouts in the last year, according to this Baseball America report – more than any other team.
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.
We R Tacoma Team Store
The We R Tacoma Team Store is currently open Monday-Friday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. (non-game days) or until the end of the game on home game days. Team Store purchases can also be made online 24/7. Grab your Rainiers gear, your Defiance ‘fit, and follow the team store on Instagram and Twitter.
June 10, 2023