Tacoma easily won the homestand opener last night, taking down the Las Vegas Aviators by a score of 9-2. It was an impressive example of focusing on the job after the clubhouse took a hit due to a major bullpen shakeup prior to the game.
The Mariners released three Tacoma relievers in the afternoon, parting ways with Taylor Guerreri, Ryan Dull, and David Huff. All three are veterans with plenty of major league experience, and had been with the Rainiers for most if not all of the season.
Taking their spots will be a pair of relievers who have been putting up strong numbers for Double-A Arkansas: Nick Duron, signed as a minor league free agent in 2019, is 2-1 with a 3.18 ERA and four saves in 23 games. Joining him will be Moises Gomez, a free agent signed this past winter, who is 2-1 with a microscopic 1.23 ERA in 23 games. Duron and Gomez will join the Rainiers today and may be pressed into duty right away – tonight is a ‘bullpen game’ for the Rainiers.
For people wondering why these moves were made, I asked and didn’t really get a clear answer. We can only surmise that the Mariners determined that the three released players were not going to be needed in the majors this year, so they wanted to give some younger guys a chance in Triple-A.
The team did a great job of locking in on the game after all of that. Tacoma scored early and often, Ryan Weber had terrific command, and the Rainiers picked up an easy 9-2 win in the series opener. The Rainiers are now just a half-game behind first place Reno, which was rained out last night in El Paso (where they will try to play a doubleheader tonight).
RAINIERS DAILY
YESTERDAY: The Rainiers returned home and kept on hitting, collecting 13 hits in a 9-2 win over Las Vegas on Thursday night. Sam Travis led the way with three hits including a homer, while Jantzen Witte and Jose Marmolejos each had two hits and two RBI. Starter Ryan Weber delivered seven scoreless innings to earn the win. Tacoma has won six of the last seven games, and 12 of the past 15.
TODAY: Las Vegas (43-42) at Tacoma (49-36), 7:05.
OPPONENT AFFILIATION: Oakland A’s.
OPPOSING MANAGER: Fran Riordan.
SEASON SERIES: Tacoma leads, 8-5.
PITCHERS: RHP Paul Blackburn (4-6, 4.84) at RHP Brian Schlitter (1-0, 2.33)
It’s a true bullpen game for the Rainiers, with late-game reliever Schlitter making his fourth start of the year – he usually goes two innings when this happens.
ROSTER MOVES: There was a big bullpen shakeup yesterday. Veterans Ryan Dull, Taylor Guerreri, and David Huff were all released. Relievers Nick Duron and Moises Gomez were promoted from Double-A Arkansas. Outfielder Eric Filia has returned from the Olympics and is expected to be activated shortly.
HOT HITTERS: Jantzen Witte has gone 40-for-114 (.351) over his last 30 games… Luis Liberato has a nine-game hitting streak… Sam Travis has gone 22-for-61 (.361) over his last 15 games… Jack Reinheimer has an 11-game hitting streak… Jose Marmolejos is 23-for-42 over his last 11 games, and he leads the league with a .380 batting average… Jose Godoy went 0-for-4 last night, ending his six-game tear in which he went 15-for-29 with 15 RBI.
OPPONENT NEWS: Las Vegas has won its last three games and beat Salt Lake in a six-game series, 4-2… Austin Allen had his nine-game hitting streak end last night. He went 21-for-38 with five home runs during the streak… Nate Mondou (Charles Wright Academy, Class of 2013) returns home and will play his first games at Cheney Stadium as a professional… Las Vegas has added former Oakland A’s 40-home run man Khris Davis to its roster.
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:
- Jarred Kelenic is starting to make adjustments and improve in the big leagues.
- The Mariners beat the Rangers yesterday as Marco Gonzales tossed a complete game two-hitter.
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.
May 28, 2023