The Rainiers scored 12 runs on 16 hits last night in a win over visiting Las Vegas. This was quite the offensive uprising for the Tacoma lineup, and it may be a harbinger of things to come.
All season long the Rainiers have ranked last in the Pacific Coast League in both runs scored and team batting average. This could be about to change, as the Tacoma lineup is starting to look quite formidable.
It began with the start of Taylor Trammell’s rehabilitation assignment, which has now covered eight games. Trammell has 11 hits and a .367 batting average during this stint, with a couple of home runs.
Then Abraham Toro was optioned to Tacoma. Toro has a history of production in Triple-A, during previous stints with Round Rock and Sugar Land when he was in the Houston Astros system. After going hitless in his first two games, Toro had a couple of knocks and reached base three times last night.
Yesterday Jarred Kelenic was optioned to Tacoma, and he hustled down I-5, jumped into the lineup, and went 2-for-4 with three RBI. Kelenic’s struggles in the majors are well-documented, but during his time in Tacoma this year he has been the team’s best hitter, posting a 915 OPS.
Today Kyle Lewis is set to report to Tacoma, where he should get plenty of at-bats in a DH role with some occasional outfield play. It would be surprising if the 2020 AL Rookie of the Year didn’t hit well in the PCL.
Let’s not forget about Jonathan Villar, a longtime major leaguer who recently joined Tacoma. Villar has played in seven games for the Rainiers, and he already has four two-hit performances.
We’ll remember this date, and see if the Rainiers offense has a noticeable uptick in production moving forward.
RAINIERS DAILY
YESTERDAY: Tacoma tallied a four-run second inning and a seven-run sixth inning on the way to a 12-8 win over Las Vegas on Thursday night. The Rainiers banged out 16 hits, with all nine members of the lineup getting at least one. Eight of the nine starters scored at least one run, and eight of the nine starts had at least one RBI. Taylor Trammell led the way in the hit column, going 3-for-5, while Jarred Kelenic led the squad with three RBI.
TODAY: Las Vegas Aviators (52-55) at Tacoma Rainiers (49-58), 7:05.
OPPONENT AFFILIATION: Oakland A’s.
OPPOSING MANAGER: Fran Riordan – but he’s away from the team right now, and Steve Scarsone is filling in during this series.
SEASON SERIES: Las Vegas leads, 9-5.
PITCHERS: LHP Ken Waldichuk (0-1, 8.10) at LHP Austin Warner (2-2, 4.93)
Waldichuk is one of the prospects the Oakland A’s received from the New York Yankees when they traded Frankie Montas at the deadline – this will be his second start with his new organization.
ROSTER MOVES: Yesterday the Mariners activated both Julio Rodriguez and Curt Casali from the injured list, and they optioned Jarred Kelenic to Tacoma. Catcher Luis Torrens was designated for assignment, so we’ll have to wait a few days and see if he clears and joins Tacoma.
HOT HITTERS: Taylor Trammell is 11-for-30 (.367) with two homers during the first eight games of his rehabilitation assignment… Erick Mejia has a five-game hitting streak, and he has reached base safely in ten straight games… Forrest Wall has a five-game hitting streak… Jonathan Villar has multiple hits in four of the seven games he has played in since joining the team.
OPPONENT NEWS: The Aviators come into the series on a seven-game losing streak, and they have now lost 19 of the last 23 games… Las Vegas has the Charles Wright Academy alum Nate Mondou on its roster, and former Rainiers reliever Dave McKay is also on the team… Billy McKinney has reached base in 11 straight games… Sheldon Neuse has a nine-game hitting streak… David MacKinnon is 6-for-13 in the series.
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:
- The Mariners were off yesterday, but they are back in action today at Texas and Julio Rodriguez was activated from the injured list.
- The Times has a feature on M’s reliever Andres Munoz and his amazing strikeout rate.
- In the PCL, 31-year-old Albuquerque Isotopes outfielder Wynton Bernard got called up to the big leagues for his first time. Bernard is having a monster season and is a candidate for the Pacific Coast League MVP award.
June 7, 2023