The Tacoma Rainiers flew into Sacramento this morning, passing over forest fires and descending through smoke-filled skies in the hopes of getting in a six-game series against the River Cats.
We’re going to be keeping an eye on the Air Quality Index throughout this series, just like we did in Reno two weeks ago. The Mariners Low-A Modesto club is not located very far away from Sacramento, and they had to postpone their game yesterday due to smoke. We’ll see what happens tonight.
The Rainiers are trying to get back to their winning ways. Tacoma lost the last three games of the homestand against Las Vegas, falling two games behind first-place Reno. The starting pitching was not as good as it has been recently, and the offense has been kind of stagnant.
Still, this is a very good Triple-A team, and it shouldn’t take long for things to get straightened out. Perhaps a road trip is just what the club needs.
RAINIERS DAILY
YESTERDAY: The whole league was off yesterday. On Tuesday the Rainiers lost their third straight game, an 8-4 decision to Las Vegas, and settled for a split of the six-game series. Sam Travis hit a pair of solo home runs in the game. Tacoma is now two games behind first place Reno, with 30 to play before the regular season champion is crowned.
TODAY: Tacoma (51-39) at Sacramento (38-51), 7:05.
OPPONENT AFFILIATION: San Francisco Giants.
OPPOSING MANAGER: Dave Brundage.
SEASON SERIES: Tacoma leads, 8-4.
PITCHERS: RHP Ryan Weber (2-0, 0.52) at LHP Sammy Long (0-0, 0.00)
Long was just optioned to Sacramento by the Giants on Sunday – he pitched 11.1 shutout innings for Sacramento earlier this season.
ROSTER MOVES: The Mariners announced they have claimed infielder Kevin Padlo off waivers from Tampa Bay, and he will be assigned to Tacoma. Padlo was hitting .194 with 12 home runs for Durham, but if you look up his stats you will see he had a tremendous 2019 season posting a .927 OPS between Double-A and Triple-A (he did not play in 2020). It will probably take Padlo a day or two to arrive and join the Rainiers.
HOT HITTERS: Jantzen Witte has a ten-game hitting streak, and he has gone 50-for-132 (.379) over his last 34 games… Sam Travis has gone 26-for-77 (.338) over his last 19 games… Jack Reinheimer has reached base in 15 straight games… Jose Marmolejos is hitless over his last two games – just the third time this season that he has gone back-to-back games without a hit.
OPPONENT NEWS: Sacramento has lost four straight, all at Salt Lake, but prior to that they won seven of nine… the Giants have loaded the Sacramento roster with MLB veterans for the stretch run, to provide insurance as the big club attempts to win the National League West… former Rainiers and Mariners outfielder Braden Bishop has hit safely in five straight games, with two home runs… Bryce Johnson has reached base in ten straight games… highly ranked prospect Heliot Ramos hit his first Triple-A home run on Saturday at Salt Lake… catching prospect Joey Bart has been out with a quad injury.
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:
- Seattle beat Texas last night, 3-1, to pull within three games of the Wild Card spot. The M’s are trying to sweep Texas today.
- Paul Sewald, who was the Tacoma Rainiers opening day starting pitcher, has emerged as the Mariners top reliever.
- The Mariners farm system has gone from worst to first.
- News from El Paso: Chihuahuas manager Edwin Rodriguez has stepped down, and pitching coach Eric Junge will manage the team for the remainder of the season.
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.
June 7, 2023