The Rainiers won again in Sacramento, this time in nine innings by a score of 7-3. After Sacramento made not one but two last at-bat comebacks to tie the game in the 12-inning win on Thursday, it was a pleasure when Justin Grimm pitched an uneventful ninth inning to secure the win.
Tacoma is 14 games over .500 and two games behind first place Reno, which swept a doubleheader at Salt Lake last night.
When the team is winning like this you can always find some fun trends, so here’s one for you: Tacoma has won 16 of its last 22 road games. That’s a pretty unlikely trend and it is going to be hard for it to continue, but it sure is fun. Let’s see if the team can add another road win tonight.
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Justus Sheffield had a nice rehabilitation start for Tacoma last night, going four innings and allowing two runs. Looking past the basic numbers reveals something better.
The first two batters Sheffield faced hit a single and then a homer. After that, Sheffield retired 12 of the next 13 hitters, striking out seven with no walks.
Most importantly, Sheffield repeatedly got ahead in the count. His control was much improved over his first rehabilitation start last weekend at Cheney Stadium, when he looked like a guy who hadn’t pitched in six weeks.
Sheffield threw 66 pitches, and I’m guessing he’ll make another start for Tacoma and then the Mariners will have to figure out the next step.
RAINIERS DAILY
YESTERDAY: The Rainiers made it two straight wins with a 7-3 decision at Sacramento on Friday night. Donovan Walton led off the game with a home run – the first of his four hits for the night. Taylor Trammell hit a two-run homer in the fifth inning, and added an RBI single later. Tacoma relievers Matt Festa, Aaron Fletcher, and Justin Grimm combined to finish the game with four scoreless innings.
TODAY: Tacoma (53-39) at Sacramento (38-53), 7:05.
OPPONENT AFFILIATION: San Francisco Giants.
OPPOSING MANAGER: Dave Brundage.
SEASON SERIES: Tacoma leads, 10-4.
PITCHERS: RHP Penn Murfee (1-1, 3.86) at LHP Scott Kazmir (2-2, 4.40)
Murfee will start for Robert Dugger, who was called up today. The MLB veteran Kazmir was one of Eric Filia‘s teammates in the Tokyo Olympics.
ROSTER MOVES: Pitcher Robert Dugger was called up by Seattle. Infielder Kevin Padlo, who was claimed off waivers on Thursday, is expected to arrive today.
HOT HITTERS: Jantzen Witte had his 11-game hitting streak end last night. He has gone 51-for-142 (.359) over his last 36 games… Sam Travis has gone 28-for-86 (.326) over his last 21 games… Jack Reinheimer has reached base in 16 straight games.
OPPONENT NEWS: Sacramento has lost six straight, 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 six straight games, with two home runs… Bryce Johnson has reached base in ten straight games… Thairo Estrada has homered in back-to-back 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:
- The Mariners got pasted by the Astros last night, 12-3.
- Mitch Haniger has a new career high for home runs.
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.
March 16, 2023