As we prepare for another Triple-A West Night In America, in which the Rainiers host Round Rock at 6:05, there are quite a few newsy items to pass along. So let’s get to it.
Rainiers outfielder Taylor Trammell was named the Triple-A West player of the Week for his efforts the past seven days. Trammell hit .440 with seven extra-base hits over the past week.
The Mariners took a big step to repair the Rainiers starting rotation problem by signing veteran RHP Logan Verrett to a minor league deal. Verrett tossed six innings in an independent league just a few days ago and is going to start for Tacoma tonight. That gives the Rainiers a season-high three true starting pitchers, as Verrett joins Hector Santiago and Darren McCaughan. The team continues to use a six-man rotation, so we still have three “bullpen days” a week.
An Olympic qualifying tournament that starts in Florida next week is going to hit the Rainiers roster, although for the players involved it will be a fantastic experience. Outfielder Eric Filia has already left to join Team USA, and reliever Ben Onyshko will join Team Canada after this homestand. There could be one more player leaving, I’ve been told.
First baseman/outfielder Jose Marmolejos cleared waivers and was outrighted to Tacoma yesterday, and he’ll report shortly. Marmolejos struggled to a .177 average in the majors with the Mariners in 2020-2021, but he is a career .286 hitter in Triple-A and should be a very nice addition to the Rainiers lineup.
In his media briefing prior to yesterday’s game, Mariners manager Scott Servais said that infielder Shed Long is about to join Tacoma on a rehabilitation assignment. Shed has been out for a long lengthy time after having surgery to repair a stress fracture in his right shin, which sounds very painful. He’ll probably be with the Rainiers for quite a while as he gets back into game shape.
Today Seattle claimed infielder Travis Blankenhorn off waivers from the Dodgers – although the Dodgers only had him for a few days, having recently claimed him from his original team the Twins. Blankenhorn is a middle infielder with some pop in his bat; he had 38 extra base hits in 93 Double-A games in 2019. It remains to be seen if the Mariners intend to keep him on the 40-man, or if they claimed him with the intent of trying to sneak him off the roster in the next few days like the Dodgers tried (and failed) to do.
OK, that’s it for now. Tacoma leads this series, 3-1, and can clinch a series victory with a win tonight or tomorrow.
RAINIERS DAILY
YESTERDAY: There were heroes aplenty as Tacoma hung on for a 7-6 win over Round Rock on Sunday afternoon. Luis Torrens hit a grand slam, Taylor Trammell went 4-for-4 with a homer, Luis Liberato had three hits including a homer and made a game-saving diving catch in right field for the last out, and Vinny Nittoli escaped a nasty jam in the eighth inning by stranding two inherited runners in scoring position.
TODAY: Round Rock (10-6) at Tacoma (8-8), 6:05 PT.
OPPONENT AFFILIATION: Texas Rangers.
OPPOSING MANAGER: Kenny Holmberg.
SEASON SERIES: Tacoma leads, 3-1.
PITCHERS: RHP Jason Bahr (0-1, 15.75) at RHP Logan Verrett (0-0, 0.00)
The Mariners signed Verrett yesterday and he’s on the hill today. Verrett pitched for three different MLB teams from 2015-2017, and has PCL experience with Las Vegas. He recently tossed six innings for an independent team in Cleburne, Texas and is stretched out as a starter.
ROSTER MOVES: Another day with lots of updates: yesterday the Mariners recalled Wyatt Mills, as the big league Covid problem continues in the Mariners bullpen. Reliever Brady Lail was claimed off waivers by the Phillies, while first baseman Jose Marmolejos cleared and was outrighted to Tacoma (he could report as soon as today). Outfielder Eric Filia has joined Team USA for the Olympic qualifying tournament in Florida; he’ll be away for two weeks. Today the team adds Logan Verrett to the roster and he makes the start.
HOT HITTERS: Taylor Trammell has hit safely in all ten games he has played in since joining the Rainiers, with six multiple-hit outings… Luis Liberato has a seven-game hitting streak and Cal Raleigh has a six-game hitting streak… Raleigh has five two-hit games during his streak, boosting his season average to .315… Luis Torrens has homered in back-to-back games.
OPPONENT NEWS: Jason Martin has homered in four of his last five games, including twice in this series… Delino DeShields has a 12-game hitting streak… the Express have three former Rainiers players: pitcher Sam Gaviglio, reliever James Jones who was an outfielder when he played for Tacoma; and catcher John Hicks.
BROADCAST: All games will be broadcast free on a live audio stream which is available right here.
As in the past, a streaming HD telecast is available through MiLB.TV. It’s a subscription service, but it’s just a one-time payment that gets you thousands of games from all levels of the minor leagues, including all 120 Tacoma Rainiers games home and away. That same link above has details on how to get it if you scroll down the page – there’s even a discount code.
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.
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- Is it possible that the Mariners struggles are entirely because the team brought back the bad-luck trident logo? Poseidon is not pleased.
- No Mariners farmhands appear on this week’s edition of the Baseball America Prospect Hot Sheet, but Packy Naughton does!
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.
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June 7, 2023