The Tacoma Rainiers homestand continues with a six-game series against Sacramento, starting tonight at 7:05.
The San Francisco Giants Triple-A club brings one of the top prospects in the league to town, in catcher Joey Bart. He’s been living up to the hype so far, batting .358 with five home runs and 18 RBI in 67 at-bats.
The River Cats have been playing sub-.500 ball, but they did just come out of a road trip to Reno with a 3-3 split. Prior to that, they had lost three of the first four series of the season.
Sacramento players are in “stay ready to help the big league team” mode. The Giants have been the big surprise in the majors this year, going into today with an MLB-best record of 38-23 when many expected them to struggle. If they are still winning like this a month from now, their front office will really lock down on making moves to try to reach the playoffs this year.
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On Tuesday Cal Raleigh doubled high off the giant wall in center field, again coming close to becoming the third player to homer over it in a Triple-A game. It was the second time he’s flirted with the giant wall in the past week.
Someone should draw a cartoon, with Raleigh smiling at the giant wall while flexing, and the wall saying “Oh Cal, you’ll never get over me.” Or something like that.
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Tacoma expects to add Mariners first baseman Evan White on a rehabilitation assignment today, and my hunch is that it could be a long one. White was placed on the Mariners injured list on May 14 with a hip flexor.
The maximum length for a position player rehab assignment is 20 days. The Mariners may choose to use this time to get White a lot of Triple-A at-bats, and see if he can unlock something at the plate while he’s here. Today’s major league addition of 1B/OF Jake Bauers (in a trade from Cleveland for a player to be named later) gives the Mariners the ability to be patient with White’s recovery – both physically, and offensively.
RAINIERS DAILY
YESTERDAY: The Rainiers were off yesterday. On Tuesday, Tacoma closed out the Salt Lake series with a 7-3 win. Jack Reinheimer connected on a tiebreaking three-run homer in the fourth inning, and Jose Marmolejos added a two-run shot in the fifth. Starter David Huff lasted a season-high six innings, allowing one run.
TODAY: Sacramento (13-17) at Tacoma (15-14), 7:05 PT.
OPPONENT AFFILIATION: San Francisco Giants.
OPPOSING MANAGER: Dave Brundage.
SEASON SERIES: 0-0.
PITCHERS: RHP Tyler Beede (0-3, 7.27) at RHP Vinny Nittoli (1-0, 3.94)
Nittoli gets the start on a ‘bullpen day’ for the Rainiers.
ROSTER MOVES: Today the Rainiers expect to activate outfielders Eric Filia and Luis Liberato… on Tuesday after the game infielder/outfielder Brett Rodriguez was transferred to High-A Everett… Evan White is expected to start a rehabilitation assignment with Tacoma tonight.
HOT HITTERS: Cal Raleigh has an 18-game hitting streak, going 31-for-77 during the streak… Raleigh has reached base safely in 22 straight games… Jack Reinheimer has a nine-game hitting streak… the Rainiers have homered in each of the last 16 games, clubbing 35 home runs during that time with 15 different players going deep.
OPPONENT NEWS: Sacramento just split a six-game series at Reno… catcher Joey Bart is one of the top prospects in the league; he’s homered in his last two games… Joe McCarthy is on a 12-game hitting streak… former Rainiers outfielder Braden Bishop has a seven-game hitting streak, going 15-for-29 during the streak… Sacramento manager Dave Brundage managed the Rainiers in 2006, and was a Tacoma hitting coach prior to that. He played outfield in the Mariners farm system.
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:
- Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto spoke about sending Jarred Kelenic back to Tacoma.
- Ryan Divish has a detailed story on Kelenic and what’s happened in the last six weeks.
- The News Tribune caught up with Kelenic prior to his first game back with Tacoma.
- Seattle’s series in Detroit continued with a thrilling extra-innings win on Wednesday night in which Dillon Thomas had his first MLB hit… On Tuesday they lost the series opener as the Tigers jumped on Marco Gonzales in the early innings.
- This morning the Mariners acquired 1B/OF Jake Bauers from Cleveland, and designated Jack Mayfield for assignment.
- Mariners pitching prospect Emerson Hancock did a detailed Q&A with Fangraphs about his pitches.
- There’s a new book out about the Houston Astros cheating scandal.
- Port Orchard native and former Rainiers and Mariners infielder Willie Bloomquist is reportedly set to become the new head baseball coach at his alma mater, Arizona State.
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 16, 2023