Tacoma ripped Reno in the series opener last night at Greater Nevada Ballpark, 13-0.
There have been plenty of lopsided games in Reno that Tacoma has been involved in over the years, including some big wins, but this one felt really one-sided.
On the pitching side, Tacoma threw its fourth shutout of the season. Ryan Weber was masterful in his start, retiring 18 of 19 batters faced. Relievers Aaron Fletcher, Jimmy Yacabonis, and Daniel Zamora completed a combined five-hitter.
Impressively, it was just the second time that Reno has been shut out this year, and the first time in their home ballpark. Reno’s offense leads the league in runs scored.
On the hitting side the Rainiers had production throughout the lineup. Everyone had at least one hit, and eight players scored at least one run. The team matched its season high by belting five homers. Twice, Tacoma hit back-to-back dingers.
The win pulled Tacoma within four games of the first place Aces. The Rainiers have won seven of the last nine games, and are looking to go ten games over .500 for what would be the first time this year with a win tonight.
—
Air quality is really bad in Reno today, due to smoke from the Dixie Fire that has blown into town. The Aces postponed a game due to poor air quality two weeks ago, and there is a chance it could happen again.
As of now we are still set to play tonight, but it is something to monitor.
RAINIERS DAILY
YESTERDAY: Tacoma won big in the series opener, 13-0 at Reno. The Rainiers hit back-to-back home runs twice in the game: Sam Travis and Jose Godoy in the second inning, and Brian O’Keefe and Jose Marmolejos in the eighth. Ryan Weber started for the Rainiers and tossed six scoreless innings, allowing one hit, and retired the final 17 batters he faced in order.
TODAY: Tacoma (44-35) at Reno (48-31), 6:35.
OPPONENT AFFILIATION: Arizona Diamondbacks.
OPPOSING MANAGER: Blake Lalli.
SEASON SERIES: Reno leads, 7-6.
PITCHERS: LHP David Huff (2-3, 5.20) at RHP Seth Frankoff (1-0, 7.88)
Huff is filling in for Asher Wojciechowski, who is going to miss a start due to soreness. Frankoff was with the Mariners last year and spent the summer at Cheney Stadium in the Alternate Training site.
ROSTER MOVES: The Mariners released reliever Williams Jerez prior to last night’s game. Reliever Zack Weiss, who was away from the team while he pitched for Team Israel at the Tokyo Olympics, is expected back this weekend.
HOT HITTERS: Jantzen Witte has gone 31-for-86 (.360) over his last 25 games… Jose Marmolejos is 13-for-22 during a six-game hitting streak… Brian O’Keefe has hit safely in seven straight games… Luis Liberato has a five-game hitting streak… Sam Travis has gone 16-for-44 over his last 11 games… Jack Reinheimer has a five-game hitting streak.
OPPONENT NEWS: Reno lost the final two games of its six-game series at Sacramento, settling for a split. The Aces have not lost a series this season… speedster Nick Heath has a six-game hitting streak… Ildemaro Vargas has a four-game hitting streak… newly acquired Cooper Hummel hit for the cycle in his second game after being traded to Arizona/Reno, Saturday at Sacramento… Seth Beer is 6-for-12 over the last three 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:
- The Reno newspaper previewed the Rainiers-Aces series.
- The short porch at Yankee Stadium cost the Mariners last night.
- J.P. Crawford is heating up again. Also in this notebook, the M’s sent Justus Sheffield to Spokane to pitch for Everett in a rehab game this weekend. If you remember Sheffield’s difficult stint with Tacoma in 2019, you understand why they didn’t send him to Reno to pitch for the Rainiers. He could make a start for Tacoma on the upcoming homestand.
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