Taking the mound for Tacoma tonight will be veteran lefty Hector Santiago, a former regular member of the starting rotation for the Chicago White Sox and Los Angeles Angels.
Santiago was signed by the Mariners just two weeks ago on a minor league contract. He’s willing to do just about anything to help the ball club.
Anything?
In 2020, Santiago was looking for a team to give him a chance. He sent the following letter to all 30 Major League GMs, looking for a job:
“Need a pitcher? I can. Starter, long relief, middle relief, left-handed specialist, closer, finisher, mop-up. Start on short rest. Start today pitch tomorrow. I’ve done it all. Need a guy to abuse to save the rest of the bullpen, that’s been my career! Let’s do it. I’m all in. It’s all me. I’ll throw 162 games. I’ll throw live BP for hitters before games and be ready for the game the same night. Trust me, you can’t throw me too much.
“Manager: How you feel? Me: I’m good to go. Let’s go, put me in. Can you shag BP by yourself? Yup, I’ll do it. Can you flip (short toss to hitters) in the cage? Yup, got it. Hec, can you clean the spikes? Yup, got it. Hec, can you wash the uniforms tonight? Yup. I’ll be the yes man for whoever needs me to be. My career has literally been just like this— ha-ha.”
(reprinted from the Detroit News)
The Detroit Tigers signed him, but he didn’t make the opening day roster after “summer camp” and didn’t pitch again until winter ball, in Puerto Rico.
His first start for Tacoma was really strong, when he went four scoreless innings and his fastball was 91-94 on the Cheney Stadium scoreboard radar gun.
RAINIERS DAILY
YESTERDAY: Salt Lake had early two-run homers from Jo Adell and Anthony Bemboom, and its bullpen hung on for a 6-4 win over Tacoma on Friday night. Dillon Thomas and Taylor Trammell each had two hits for Tacoma, with Thomas including a two-run double.
TODAY: Tacoma (4-4) at Salt Lake (2-6), 5:35 PT.
OPPONENT AFFILIATION: Los Angeles Angels.
OPPOSING MANAGER: Lou Marson.
SEASON SERIES: Tied, 1-1.
PITCHERS: LHP Hector Sanchez (0-0, 0.00) at LHP Thomas Pannone (0-1, 3.60)
Sanchez won the first ever Triple-A West Pitcher of the Week award for his four scoreless innings, seven strikeout performance against El Paso last week.
ROSTER MOVES: The Mariners were once again hit with injuries, placing Evan White and Ty France on the 10-day injured list and calling up Donovan Walton and Jack Mayfield from Tacoma. The Rainiers have added infielder Dave Masters from Double-A Arkansas.
HOT HITTERS: Taylor Trammell has gone 6-for-9 since joining the Rainiers… Jack Reinheimer has a four-game hitting streak… Dillon Thomas is 4-for-9 with five RBI in the first two games here in Salt Lake City.
OPPONENT NEWS: Salt Lake has the Angels top prospect Jo Adell on the roster. Adell, an outfielder, hit two home runs including a tape-measure blast on Monday against Reno… another highly-rated outfield prospect joined the Bees on Thursday night: Brandon Marsh… infielder Kean Wong has opened the season with a seven-game hitting streak.
BROADCAST: All games will be broadcast free on a live audio stream which is available right here.
As in the past, a streaming HD telecast is available through MiLB.TV. It’s a subscription service, but it’s just a one-time payment that gets you thousands of games from all levels of the minor leagues, including all 120 Tacoma Rainiers games home and away. That same link above has details on how to get it if you scroll down the page – there’s even a discount code.
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:
- Jarred Kelenic hit a homer and two doubles for his first major league hits as the Mariners ended a five-game losing streak last night.
- The Mariners injured list is getting longer and longer.
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.
March 24, 2023