The Tacoma Rainiers wrap up the annual Throwback Weekend with a day game today at Cheney Stadium, starting at 1:35.
The team will be wearing the specially created cream-and-red throwback uniforms again today, and the jerseys are going to be auctioned off after the game. All proceeds from today’s auction will benefit the Puyallup Cal Ripken Little League.
Also, the first 1,000 fans through the gates today receive a free fully-endorsed-by-me Rainiers throwback pennant featuring our new favorite fish, Slammin’ Sammy the South Sound Salmon. Whether you think he looks cute, or just tasty, this is the pennant for you.
The Rainiers will try to end this homestand on a positive note. It’s been a tough one, with four losses in the first five games. A two-week road trip to divisional foes Las Vegas and Salt Lake begins after the game, so the Rainiers would like to get some positive vibes going into the trip.
Monday is a travel day and there will be no blog, and our next update will come on Tuesday afternoon before the series opener in Las Vegas.
RAINIERS DAILY
YESTERDAY: Sugar Land made it four wins in five games by beating Tacoma on Saturday evening, 4-2. Tacoma was limited to five hits, yet had the tying runners on base multiple times in the late innings. Sam Haggerty hit a solo homer, and Mason McCoy connected for a two-out RBI single. Wyatt Mills was impressive in relief, tossing 2.1 scoreless innings while throwing just 18 pitches.
TODAY: Sugar Land Space Cowboys (7-10) at Tacoma Rainiers (5-12), 1:35.
OPPONENT AFFILIATION: Houston Astros.
OPPOSING MANAGER: Mickey Storey.
SEASON SERIES: Sugar Land leads, 4-1.
PITCHERS: RHP J.P. France (0-0, 4.15) at RHP Asher Wojciechowski (0-3, 15.95)
ROSTER MOVES: Seattle made an impactful-for-Tacoma move yesterday, trading for recently designated Arizona outfielder Stuart Fairchild, and optioning him to Tacoma. Fairchild is a graduate of Seattle Prep and has played in the majors for Arizona, and also in our league for Reno. But to make room on the 40-man roster for Fairchild, Rainiers infielder Kevin Padlo was designated for assignment. Padlo will spend the next couple days in “baseball limbo” while he waits to see if he is claimed by another team.
HOT HITTERS: Joe Odom has hit safely in six of his last seven games, going 8-for-27 with five extra-base hits… Sam Haggerty is 9-for-19 with two homers during a five-game hitting streak… Marcus Wilson has reached base in five straight games and 11 of his last 22 plate appearances… Erick Mejia has reached base in seven straight games… both Mejia and Mason McCoy have four-game hitting streaks.
OPPONENT NEWS: Sugar Land opened the season at Sacramento and went 2-4, then they lost five-of-six at home to Round Rock… catcher Korey Lee is considered one of the Houston Astros top prospects… infielder Pedro Leon received a big signing bonus coming out of Cuba and is considered a solid prospect… Sugar Land has no former Rainiers on its roster or coaching staff, and no Washington natives.
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.
PCL SCOREBOARD: Follow all league games in real-time with links to broadcasts and Gameday screens right here.
Links:
- Ty France had a huge game as the Mariners beat the Royals on Saturday night.
- The Times has a Mariners minor league report, including a segment on Tacoma’s Roenis Elias.
- Larry Stone writes so far, so good for the Mariners playoff hopes.
- Some notes on the Rainiers next opponent, Las Vegas.
March 16, 2023