The Rainiers start their final homestand of the season, a five-game series against the Salt Lake Bees. Tonight’s opener begins at 7:05.
A lot has happened since the Rainiers last played at Cheney Stadium. Tacoma won the league championship, clinching the title with a win in El Paso on September 18. It was Tacoma’s first title since 2010, and my understanding is that there will be a ceremony prior to the game on Friday night at Cheney Stadium.
Then the Rainiers played the first five games of the Triple-A Final Stretch at Round Rock, going 2-3 on the field. The team did hit eight homers against the Express, raising $400 for Rebuilding Together South Sound through Minor League Baseball’s Homers That Help campaign. The team will continue to add to its total during the five remaining home games.
Throughout this, all eyes have been on the red hot Seattle Mariners, who are surging at the right time as they try to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2001. Several Tacoma players know that they could be called up at any moment and thrown into the pennant race – it just happened to reliever Wyatt Mills on Monday.
Hopefully you can make it out to the park for at least one of these final five games, and celebrate what has truly been a remarkable season of baseball.
RAINIERS DAILY
YESTERDAY: The team was off on Tuesday. On Monday the Rainiers lost their final away game of the season, a 7-2 decision at Round Rock. Donovan Walton and Kevin Padlo drilled back-to-back home runs in the top of the third inning for Tacoma’s only runs. Tacoma finished the season with an impressive 37-28 record in road games.
TODAY: Salt Lake (53-17, 4-1) at Tacoma (75-50, 2-3), 7:05.
OPPONENT AFFILIATION: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
OPPOSING MANAGER: Lou Marson.
SEASON SERIES: Tacoma leads, 14-10.
PITCHERS: RHP Cooper Criswell (3-4, 6.80) at RHP Robert Dugger (3-5, 6.68)
Dugger is the reigning Triple-A West Pitcher of the Week, winning the award because of his six shutout innings of one-hit ball against Round Rock last week.
ROSTER MOVES: Since we last posted, the Mariners called up reliever Wyatt Mills and optioned Justus Sheffield to Tacoma. Also, pitcher Matt Brash was called up yesterday. Brash never pitched for Tacoma but he was technically on the roster for a couple days.
HOT HITTERS: Dillon Thomas is 17-for-53 over his last 16 games… Jose Godoy is 22-for-57 over his last 13 games… Luis Liberato is 16-for-37 over his last 11 games… the Rainiers are 42-24 when Donovan Walton is in the starting lineup, and 33-26 when he is not… Walton has a seven-game hitting streak.
OPPONENT NEWS: Salt Lake just went 4-1 in a five-game series against Sacramento… Mitch Walding is saving his injury-riddled season with a late surge, going 20-for-45 with five homers over his last 11 games… Brendon Davis has a four-game hitting streak, with two homers and eight RBI during it… Preston Palmeiro has a four-game hitting streak… Bees home run leader Jake Gatewood has missed the last three games.
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 won again last night and is now just a half-game out of the final wild card playoff spot. The Times has a post with playoff odds and final schedules.
- This hot streak is reminding Larry Stone of 1995.
- The Mariners called up rising pitching prospect Matt Brash in case things went off the rails on Tuesday, but fortunately he was not needed.
- The organization announced its minor league award winners. Somehow, the best team in the farm system got shut out.
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