It’s been an eventful week for the Tacoma Rainiers. The team somehow escaped Reno with a series split, manager Kristopher Negron left on paternity leave to have twin boys, and Cal Raleigh hit an enormous home run. Here’s the recap of this week’s posts:
The week started on a downer, as Monday’s post recapped a dreadful ninth inning meltdown in Reno – the kind of thing that has happened many times over the years at the Rainiers personal House of Horrors.
Positivity returned on Tuesday, as the Rainiers bounced back with a win and manager Negron skipped town to watch his family grow.
On Wednesday we rested, as required by the Minor League Baseball Blogger’s Union Local 253.
Thursday’s post recapped the Rainiers miraculous escape from Reno with a series split, and previewed the homestand and the Salt Lake series.
Friday’s post was a lot of fun to write, looking at Cal Raleigh’s monstrous home run to center field at Cheney. Did it clear the top right corner of the giant wall, or not? At the time that I posted the blog, I was doubtful but still wasn’t sure. On the air I called it just to the right of the giant wall, but my booth is on the third base side which effects the sight lines and I felt a clump of self-doubt in my gut. Maybe I called it wrong? Either way, what a moonshot!
On Saturday we did the follow-up: after speaking with a number of people with unique views of the play, we determined that Raleigh’s homer missed going over the giant wall in center – wide right. So close, though. (Should have mentioned this in the original post: I appreciate those of you who were at the game and messaged me what it looked like to you. Different vantage points give a different perspective, for sure!)
What a week! Let’s start a new one.
RAINIERS DAILY
YESTERDAY: The Rainiers earned their first win of the series, taking a 5-4 decision on Saturday evening. Jo Adell homered in the top of the first, of course, but it was a solo shot and the Rainiers scored three times in the bottom of the inning. Shed Long led off with his first home run of the year, and the Rainiers got two more on a bloop single by Jantzen Witte. Tacoma added two more runs in the second inning on a long two-run double by Dillon Thomas, taking a 5-1 lead, and the Rainiers held on from there. Relievers Justin Grimm, Wyatt Mills, and Williams Jerez combined to pitch 5.1 shutout innings while allowing just two hits. Jimmy Yacabonis gave up a solo homer in the ninth but had that room to spare and earned his second save.
TODAY: Salt Lake (11-16) at Tacoma (14-13), 1:35 PT.
OPPONENT AFFILIATION: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
OPPOSING MANAGER: Lou Marson.
SEASON SERIES: Salt Lake leads, 6-3.
PITCHERS: RHP Jaime Barria (0-1, 5.59) at RHP Vinny Nittoli (1-0, 4.11)
Bullpen day again, with Nittoli getting first crack at ’em.
ROSTER MOVES: We went two straight days without a roster move. Yesterday the Mariners did make a couple moves, activating relievers Drew Steckenrider and Yacksel Rios. They optioned Robert Dugger and Daniel Zamora to Tacoma, but then Yusei Kikuchi was injured during the game so things could change again – the last time Dugger was sent down he was recalled before he even had time to be disappointed. We’ll see if either of these guys show up today.
HOT HITTERS: Cal Raleigh has a 16-game hitting streak, going 29-for-69 during the streak… Raleigh has reached base safely in 20 straight games… Dillon Thomas has 11 hits with four homers over his last eight games… both Shed Long and Jack Reinheimer have hit safely in seven straight games… the Rainiers have homered in each of the last 14 games, clubbing 32 home runs during that time with 13 different players going deep.
OPPONENT NEWS: Salt Lake is 6-3 against Tacoma and 5-13 against the three other teams they have played… outfielder Jo Adell leads all of minor league baseball with 15 home runs… Scott Schebler has gone 7-for-13 over the first three games of the series… reliever Tim Peterson was born in Tacoma and graduated from Emerald Ridge High School in Puyallup.
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 let the game get away after Yusei Kikuchi was injured in Anaheim last night. Friend of the blog Bitter Bob Condotta has the game story.
- M’s manager Scott Servais said he is not worried about Jarred Kelenic‘s 0-for-39 slump, which makes you wonder what he does worry about.
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.
June 7, 2023