Colorado Springs defeated Tacoma in 11 innings on Sunday afternoon, in a game that was eerily similar to the one the two teams played on Friday night.
Just like on Friday night, Tacoma took a 3-2 lead into the ninth inning at Cheney Stadium. And just like Friday night, a Sky Sox player hit a solo home run off Scott Patterson to send the game into extra innings. And just like Friday night, the Sky Sox won it in the 11th inning with a homer off Steven Hensley.
Tommy Field led off the ninth with a homer on Sunday, each team scored a run in the tenth, and then Charlie Blackmon connected for a three-run homer in the 11th.
The Rainiers had a highlight in the bottom of the tenth, when Luis Rodriguez connected for a pinch-hit home run to tie the game, 4-4. It was the first pinch-hit home run by a Rainiers batter this season – which isn’t surprising at all, considering the fact that it was only the 10th time this season that Daren Brown has called for a pinch-hitter. American League rules, etc.
Also, there was some good pitching. Andrew Carraway had a solid start, lasting six innings and allowing two runs. Bobby LaFromboise pitched two scoreless innings, protecting a one-run lead until the ninth.
Outfielder Darren Ford was 0-for-5, ending his hitting streak at 17 consecutive games. It was the longest hitting streak of his professional career.
The two teams split the four-game series, and now the Rainiers host first place Sacramento in a four-game series starting Monday night.
Sacramento just split a four-game with second place Las Vegas. Vegas won the first two games at Raley Field, drawing within 2.5 games of the River Cats. Sacramento bounced back and won the last two games, regaining some breathing room with a 4.5 game lead over the 51s in the Pacific-South.
Tonight’s game is at 7:05 and you can listen on South Sound Sports 850 AM and streaming online right here. It’s a Monday home game, so Bob Robertson joins me in the booth and calls the middle innings. Tacoma starts LHP Steve Garrison (0-1, 6.55) against Sacramento’s ace, RHP Graham Godfrey (8-0, 2.88). Godfrey was the starting pitcher for the PCL in the Triple-A All-Star Game on Wednesday in Buffalo.
Links:
- We start with the Rainiers game story from The News Tribune.
- The Mariners were shut out by the Texas Rangers on Sunday, and their home hitting woes continued.
- Instead of complaining about the Mariners offense, John McGrath writes, we should appreciate it for what it is: incredible.
- Geoff Baker blogs that these could be the final months of Ichiro‘s career. Something to keep in mind, for sure.
- USS Mariner has its long weekly Minor League Wrap.
- This is why Rhubarb The Reindeer does not ride an ATV.
- Here’s a PCL Notebook with a few interesting tidbits. It’s mostly about Reno’s Jake Elmore.
- Here’s a fun story from New Orleans in which the writer sits with a major league scout during a game.
- Sacramento crushed Las Vegas yesterday, 12-5. Brad Peacock pitched well and Michael Taylor had a big game.
- Cory Burns is doing a great job in relief for Tucson. Nobody develops relief pitchers like the Padres! Also, Fresno’s game at Tucson was monsooned out.
- Reno topped Salt Lake on Sunday, 5-3.
- Albuquerque and Nashville were the latest teams to prove my theory that all doubleheaders are splits.
- Oklahoma City walloped New Orleans, 12-3.
- Iowa blitzed Omaha, 9-1.
- Memphis was rained out at Round Rock – it was only the fourth rain out in Round Rock in 13 years.
- Billy Hamilton – the Red prospect who has 109 stolen bases this year – hit a stand-up inside-the-park home run yesterday (video).
The news is out: I’m calling a couple of Mariners games with Rick Rizzs next week, on Tuesday and Wednesday. Bob Robertson will fill-in here in Tacoma, with Ian Furness (Tuesday) and Mike Gastineau (Wednesday) sitting in with him. Should be a fun two days, on both broadcasts!
