After a day off yesterday, the Tacoma Rainiers are back home and in action tonight against the Salt Lake Bees. First pitch is set for 7:05 at Cheney Stadium.
Tacoma finished the Sacramento series with a 2-1 loss on Tuesday. Former Rainiers outfielder Braden Bishop hit a walk-off home run to end it and salvage a series split for the River Cats. Bishop hit two game-winning home runs for Sacramento during the series.
While the Rainiers were in Sacramento, Salt Lake was playing a six-game home series against first place Reno. The Bees were no help to Tacoma, losing five of the six games against the Aces.
The combination of the Rainiers so-so results in Sacramento and Reno’s cleaning up of the Bees caused Tacoma to fall four games behind Reno in the standings with 24 to play before the regular season champion is declared.
The Rainiers have had trouble with Salt Lake this year, losing ten of the 18 head-to-head games so far. Tacoma hopes to correct that in this series against a Bees team that has lost top outfield prospects Jo Adell and Brandon Marsh to major league call-ups.
We have a chance to see a pitcher’s duel in the series opener tonight, with veteran strike-throwers Brian Johnson and Ryan Weber scheduled to take the mound. Weber has been beyond terrific for the Rainiers, and Johnson tossed eight shutout innings against the Rainiers the last time Salt Lake was here at Cheney.
RAINIERS DAILY
YESTERDAY: The whole league was off yesterday. On Tuesday the Rainiers lost at Sacramento, 2-1, when former Tacoma and Seattle outfielder Braden Bishop hit a walk-off home run with one out in the bottom of the ninth. Darren McCaughan had a strong game on the mound, allowing one run over 6.2 innings on just three hits. McCaughan tied his career high with nine strikeouts.
TODAY: Salt Lake (43-52) at Tacoma (54-42), 7:05.
OPPONENT AFFILIATION: Los Angeles Angels.
OPPOSING MANAGER: Lou Marson.
SEASON SERIES: Salt Lake leads, 10-8.
PITCHERS: LHP Brian Johnson (3-4, 5.66) at RHP Ryan Weber (2-0, 1.11)
ROSTER MOVES: Before the game on Tuesday, pitcher Bryan Pall was returned to Advanced-A Everett. Yesterday the Mariners optioned reliever Keynan Middleton to Tacoma, but today they designated him for assignment to make room for veteran LHP Sean Doolittle, who they just claimed off waivers from Cincinnati.
HOT HITTERS: Jantzen Witte has reached base safely in 15 straight games, and he has gone 55-for-155 (.356) over his last 39 games… Donovan Walton has reached base in 15 straight games, and he is 26-for-62 (.419) with five homers during that time… Sam Travis has gone 32-for-98 (.327) over his last 24 games… Jack Reinheimer has a six-game hitting streak, and he has reached base in 19 straight games… Jose Marmolejos is tied for the league lead with a .366 batting average… Eric Filia has hit safely in four straight games.
OPPONENT NEWS: Salt Lake just had a rough series at home against Reno, dropping five of six games… Michael Stefanic had four hits on Tuesday and is batting .386 with six homers during the month of August… Jake Gatewood is tied with Jose Marmolejos for third in the league with 22 home runs. They are two dingers behind league leader Taylor Motter‘s 24, but Motter is currently in the majors with Colorado… despite getting called up to the Angels on August 2, Jo Adell still leads the league with 69 RBI. The Bees lineup misses Adell and Brandon Marsh.
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:
- From the Reno newspaper we have a little update on where the pennant race stands.
- The Seattle Times looks at the remaining schedules for the teams in the American League wild card hunt.
- The Mariners finished a great road trip with a win over Oakland on Tuesday. They were off yesterday.
- Larry Stone has a column on how many times the Mariners have been declared deceased this season, yet they are still in the race.
- Ryan Divish was shocked by how small the crowds were in Oakland this week.
- Scott Servais should win the AL Manager of the Year award, Matt Calkins writes.
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.
April 1, 2023