The Rainiers were slogging through a miserable game in Reno last night when things really went off the rails.
Reno led 9-2 in the bottom of the seventh inning when Aces hothead Henry Ramos launched a massive two-run homer to right field. After enjoying a long look at his homer, Ramos began a slow jog around the bases while taunting everyone he passed along the way. Eventually he reached second base and Rainiers shortstop Donovan Walton pointed toward third and told him to get moving.
This set Ramos off even more, and he took off his helmet and fired it at Walton, touching off a bench-clearing brawl in the area between second and third base, eventually moving down the left field line as both dugouts and bullpens emptied.
It took a long time for the teams to go back to their dugouts and the umpires to get the details sorted out. When the dust settled, Ramos and Reno reliever Chester Pimentel were ejected, as were Tacoma’s Walton, Brian Schlitter, and Jose Godoy.
I started to wonder if the runs would count on the home run hit by Ramos. He never touched home, getting ejected before reaching the plate. What’s the ruling here? The runs went up on the scoreboard and no one from the Rainiers argued.
Common sense says the runs should count. What if they didn’t? Then team’s infielders could try to instigate fights and get hitters ejected any time they were rounding the bases after a homer!
Still, I wondered. One of the former managers in this league that I am friends with saw the highlight of the play/fight, and I asked him what he would do. Here’s what he texted:
I’m sure the umpires wouldn’t call it but it would be entertaining to clear the field, the umpires tell you who is ejected, then put the new pitcher in. Have him appeal third base because I don’t think Ramos touched it either, if they say safe then argue and go back to the dugout. Then appeal home plate and if they say safe again, have the same argument until I’m heading to the locker room. But down 11-2 just wanting to get it over with after all that might be the better way to go.
Later today I should get a chance to talk to Rainiers manager Kristopher Negron about it and see what he was thinking. It’s possible that the umpires covered this topic when they met with both managers after the fight to sort out the details.
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The Rainiers fell two games behind Reno with the loss, with 16 games remaining before the regular season champion is determined. Sugar Land also lost yesterday and is tied with Tacoma.
There are four games left in this series – still plenty of opportunity for the Rainiers to get things turned around after getting roughed up in the first two games of the series.
RAINIERS DAILY
YESTERDAY: Tacoma got blasted by Reno, 13-2, in a game marred by an ugly brawl. Reno hit two homers in the first inning, including a three-run shot by Cooper Hummel, to take a 4-0 lead. Jake Hager – who played for Tacoma in July – hit a grand slam in the fourth to make it 9-0. Tacoma’s only runs scored on a two-run dinger by Donovan Walton.
TODAY: Tacoma (60-44) at Reno (61-41), 6:35.
OPPONENT AFFILIATION: Arizona Diamondbacks.
OPPOSING MANAGER: Blake Lalli.
SEASON SERIES: Tied, 10-10.
PITCHERS: RHP Robert Dugger (2-4, 7.75) at RHP Matt Tabor (1-3, 14.11)
Both starters are trying to get back on track after struggling in their last outing.
ROSTER MOVES: Today the Mariners activated relievers Diego Castillo and Anthony Misiewicz from the injured list and optioned Wyatt Mills and Kevin Padlo to Tacoma.
HOT HITTERS: Jantzen Witte has reached base safely in 22 straight games, and he has gone 62-for-185 (.335) over his last 46 games… Donovan Walton has a five-game hitting streak, and he has eight homers in his last 22 games… Jack Reinheimer has a ten-game hitting streak, and he has reached base in 23 straight games… Marcus Wilson has gone 11-for-31 with three homers and eight walks over his last nine games.
OPPONENT NEWS: Reno just lost three of four games in a series against Sacramento in which two games were cancelled due to poor air quality… Cooper Hummel is 5-for-7 with two homers and eight RBI during the first two games of this series… Henry Ramos leads the league with a .373 batting average… Juniel Querecuto has a six-game hitting streak… Jamie Ritchie has hit safely in eight of his last nine games… the Diamondbacks recently promoted top prospect Alek Thomas to Reno, and he had back-to-back four-hit games on Sunday and Monday… Seth Beer has been hit by pitch a whopping 27 times this year… Ildemaro Vargas is Reno’s all-time hits leader with 496.
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:
- For good or for bad, Jarred Kelenic was involved in everything including the game-winning hit in the Mariners 6-5 win at Arizona last night.
- Kyle Lewis had a setback and will not be rehabilitating with the Rainiers this weekend.
- Sacramento pitched a combined no-hitter against Salt Lake last night. It was the first nine-inning no-hitter in River Cats history (since Sacramento re-joined the league in 2000).
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