Revolving rosters are just a part of Triple-A baseball, and the Rainiers have had their fair share of transactions this season. Not as many as some years in the past, but a steady flow of roster moves.
We’ve seen the team go from weak pitching to strong pitching, and the offense has ebbed and flowed over the course of the season based upon who is healthy and in the lineup.
But one thing has been consistent all season long, regardless of who is on the active roster: the team defense has been bad.
Last night Tacoma made four errors, raising their PCL-leading total to 127, in a 3-2 ten-inning loss in Nashville.
Tacoma is last in the PCL in fielding percentage – right where they have ranked since the team made two errors and lost on an unearned run on opening day.
The Sounds won the game last night in the bottom of the tenth inning on two throwing errors by Rainiers relief pitcher Brian Moran.
The rough finish spoiled another outstanding outing by starting pitcher D.J. Mitchell, who can’t get any run support.
Mitchell lasted eight innings, allowing just two runs. It was the fourth time in five starts since being acquired in the Ichiro trade that Mitchell has allowed two runs or fewer – and he is still looking for his first Tacoma win.
Tacoma can still get a split of the Nashville series, and a split of the entire Tennessee road trip with a victory tonight.
Tonight’s game is at 5:05 (Pacific), and as always you can tune in on South Sound Sports 850 AM and streaming online right here. Tacoma starts RHP Andrew Carraway (4-6, 4.28) against Nashville RHP Brian Baker (2-4, 4.74).
Links:
- I wrote the Rainiers game story for The News Tribune.
- The Mariners – who were off yesterday – have some hard-throwing relievers.
- Larry Stone has a feature story on Mariners unsung hero John Jaso.
- Well lookee here: Mike Zunino has the No. 2 spot on this week’s Baseball America Prospect Hot Sheet.
- In the PCL, Rockies starter Jhoulys Chacin had an outstanding rehabilitation start for Colorado Springs. The Sky Sox crushed Albuquerque, 11-2.
- Memphis slowed down Salt Lake as Steven Hill cranked a three-run homer in the Redbirds 5-3 victory.
- Round Rock edged Reno in the tenth inning, 9-8. Reno has lost six in a row – I wonder if it’s Brett Butler panic time yet?
- New Orleans saw its five-game win streak end last night. The Zephyrs still trail Albuquerque by three games in the American-South.
- Tucson star Jedd Gyorko returned from an ankle injury and had three hits with a homer last night against Iowa.
- Nashville is the best defensive team in the PCL.
- Las Vegas blew a late lead for the first time all season last night, losing to Omaha in 11 innings, 7-6.
The Rainiers open the final homestand of the season on Saturday night at Cheney Stadium. Catch a game while you still can!
