Covid brought many changes to our lives, some of which are in the process of going away while others remain. Here’s something unusual that the Covid-impacted Triple-A West schedule has brought us: today the Rainiers are playing a home game at Cheney Stadium on the Fourth of July for the first time in twenty years. Twenty years! In order to prepare for that, here’s our usual Sunday installment of the Week In Review.
The week opened with me dorking out on the fact that Albuquerque scored 11 runs in a game and did not leave anybody on base. This was pure baseball nerdery, and I do not apologize.
On Tuesday we celebrated the end of the Rainiers 12-game road trip, and gave a brief recap of it.
Wednesday was the day of rest.
Thursday was a preview of the Rainiers homestand: a six-game series against first place Reno.
On Friday we were surprised to learn that the Triple-A schedule was being extended by ten games, and plans were made to crown a champion.
Saturday we rejoiced, since we were having a sold out July 3rd Fireworks Extravaganza, and we are starting a weekly manager’s show on the audio broadcasts.
Our first episode of the Kristopher Negron Show will air on the audio stream at 12:20 today. This will be the free audio stream available at www.wertacoma.com/broadcast – not the MiLB TV feed (that is, I don’t think it will air on MiLB.tv, but I’m not entirely sure – I guess it might?).
RAINIERS DAILY
YESTERDAY: Reno scored early, using a four-run third inning to build a 6-1 lead on the way to an 8-3 victory over Tacoma on Saturday night. A sellout crowd of 7,616 saw Tacoma’s Eric Filia and Donovan Walton each hit their first home run of the season in the loss. Seattle Mariners reliever Erik Swanson pitched a scoreless inning on a rehabilitation assignment. Tacoma has lost the first three games of the Reno series and fallen seven games out of first place.
TODAY: Reno (34-17) at Tacoma (26-23), 12:35.
OPPONENT AFFILIATION: Arizona Diamondbacks.
OPPOSING MANAGER: Blake Lalli.
SEASON SERIES: Reno leads, 6-3.
PITCHERS: LHP Tyler Gilbert (4-1, 3.65) at RHP Brian Schlitter (0-0, 4.97)
Schlitter gets the start on the Rainiers bullpen day, and it will be the second start of his 15-year pro career.
ROSTER MOVES: The Mariners have signed reliever Shane Carle to a Triple-A deal and assigned him to Tacoma – he’s expected to report early this week. Carle (the ‘e’ is silent) had a nice season in the majors for the Atlanta Braves in 2018.
HOT HITTERS: Jose Godoy has an eight-game hitting streak… Jantzen Witte has ten hits in his last seven games… Jack Reinheimer has hit safely in six of his last seven games, going 10-for-26 with four doubles and two homers.
OPPONENT NEWS: Reno has won five games in a row, and the Aces 34-17 record is the best in the league… recently outrighted Ildemaro Vargas is Reno’s all-time hit leader… Jamie Ritchie leads the league with a .395 batting average… Drew Ellis has belted four homers over his last eight games… outfielder Stuart Fairchild graduated from Seattle Prep class of 2014. He’s hot right now, going 9-for-21 with four home runs in his last six 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:
- It wasn’t going to last forever. The Texas Rangers losing streak at T-Mobile/Safeco ended at 13 games last night when they beat the Mariners, 7-3.
- Mariners outfield prospect Julio Rodriguez discussed his recent promotion to Double-A, the MLB All-Star Futures Game, and going to the Olympics.
- What should the Mariners do at the trade deadline? Matt Calkins is wondering.
- It’s a thin line between a black glove and a gray glove, Hector Santiago learned.
- The Rainiers will make their first ever trip to Sugar Land, TX for the next road trip which starts on Thursday. This story from the Austin newspaper includes some elements that explain why Sugar Land has a team in the league, and where it is. Sugar Land Skeeters outfielder Ronnie Dawson warns us that there are indeed a lot of mosquitos there. Can’t wait!
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