Redbirds Take Opener

The Rainiers dropped the opening game of the homestand to Memphis on Thursday night, 6-5 in ten innings.

The Rainiers were trailing 5-1 in the eighth inning, having been shut down by Redbirds top prospect Michael Wacha.

Once Wacha was out of there, the Rainiers rallied to score three runs in the eighth inning, then tie the game with two outs in the ninth on a clutch hit by Corey Patterson.

Unfortunately, Memphis immediately responded with a run in the top of the tenth. Centralia native Brock Peterson had the game-winning RBI double for the Redbirds.

The Rainiers showed a lot of heart battling back in the late innings, and they nearly did it again in the tenth by collecting a pair of two-out singles before the final out.

The team tries to bounce back tonight with Andrew Carraway on the mound. He comes into tonight’s game ranked 9th in the PCL with a 3.09 ERA.

Tonight’s game is at 7:05, and it’s Friday Night Fireworks. Tacoma starts RHP Andrew Carraway (4-1, 3.09) against Memphis LHP Tyler Lyons (2-1, 4.39). Catch the broadcast on South Sound Sports 850 AM or streaming online right here. If you use an iPad, try this link.

Links:

• We start with the Rainiers game story from The News Tribune.
• The Mariners minor league report has a video of Franklin Gutierrez’s hit for Tacoma last night.
• Here’s an MLB blog from an Italian perspective on Rainiers third baseman Alex Liddi.
• The Mariners sneaked out of New York City with a series win over the Yankees.
• Two current Memphis players made this week’s Baseball America Prospect Hot Sheet.
• In the PCL, Colorado Springs ace Drew Pomeranz improved to 6-0 on the year with a 5-3 victory at Round Rock. Martin Perez started for the Express; he’s coming back from a spring training injury.
• Reno scored five runs in the ninth to beat Albuquerque, 8-3, resulting in some salty quotes from ‘Topes manager Lorenzo Bundy.
• Nashville starter John Hellweg missed the strike zone by an (angry) inch last night in Salt Lake City. He walked six batters over six shutout innings, beating the Bees 7-2.
• It was a Rehab Battle in Iowa, where Matt Garza and the Iowa Cubs out-dueled Clayton Richard and the Tucson Padres, 1-0.
• Several Oklahoma City players were unable to make it to Sacramento due to travel problems, but the RedHawks still beat the River Kitties, 7-2.
• Chris Heston delivered seven shutout innings in Fresno’s 4-0 win over New Orleans.
• Omaha held off Las Vegas, 5-4.

Rainiers Home For Prospect-Palooza

It’s great to be back in Tacoma to start an eight-game homestand this evening, with the prospect-laden Memphis Redbirds in town.

Tacoma wrapped up the road trip with a 4-2 win at New Orleans on Tuesday afternoon – a very nice win, because it salvaged the trip. Tacoma opened the trip by getting swept in Oklahoma City, but rebounded to win three-of-four at New Orleans. A 3-5 road trip is not good, of course, but it certainly wasn’t the disaster that it could have turned into.

The Rainiers host Memphis tonight, and this is a fact: seven of Baseball America’s preseason Top 100 Prospects will be at Cheney Stadium this weekend. If you like watching prospects, this is the series of the year.

However, there are some injury issues.

Memphis outfielder Oscar Taveras – ranked the No. 3 prospect in baseball preseason, and considered the top hitting prospect in all of the minors – is day-to-day with a sprained ankle suffered on Sunday. My spies with the Redbirds say he is unlikely to play until Saturday or Sunday – but that is not for sure, he is “day-to-day” in the truest form.

The St. Louis Cardinals are treating Taveras like the Mariners treated Danny Hultzen when his arm was “a little stiff” – very, very carefully, because he is a huge part of the future of their organization.

Hopefully we’ll get to see Taveras play; it’s fun watching these elite talents when they come through. It’s one of the most fun parts of minor league baseball. The memories can remain for years – I still clearly recall Prince Fielder lining balls of the tall old right-field fence when he was with Nashville in 2005, Tim Lincecum striking everybody out for Fresno back in 2007, etc, etc, etc.

Injury Update

Speaking of Hultzen, he should be working out with the Rainiers this week, and progressing on his return from the disabled list. Danny did not go on the last road trip, instead doing rehabilitation work with the specialists at Safeco Field. I’m not sure where things stand right now, but if we see him throwing early bullpen sessions this weekend, that would be a big step toward his return.

Tacoma will get some help this week: Mariners Josh Kinney (oblique) and Franklin Gutierrez (hamstring) will begin rehabilitation assignments with Tacoma tonight. Both could be here for a while.

Kinney strained his oblique in spring training and was placed on the 60-day disabled list – meaning he’s not eligible to be activated until roughly May 31. As a pitcher, he’s allowed to rehab for up to 30 days.

Gutierrez could also be here for a while, based on the recent quotes from Mariners manager Eric Wedge. Paraphrasing rather than looking it up (because I am lazy), Wedge said that Gutierrez needs to prove he can play every day – like 4-5 days in a row – before being activated from the disabled list. As a position player, Gutierrez is limited to 20 days on a rehabilitation assignment.

Memphis Preview

The St. Louis Cardinals Triple-A affiliate comes into Tacoma with a record of 20-17. They got hot in early April, went on a 6-1 stretch to move three games over .500 on April 18, and they’ve been sitting right there for the last month, playing .500 ball.

Memphis just had an eight-game homestand against Sacramento and Fresno. They beat Sacramento 3-of-4, then lost 3-of-4 to Fresno avoiding a sweep with a win on Tuesday.

Other than Taveras, Memphis features Top-100 prospects Michael Wacha and Kolten Wong.

Wacha will be the starting pitcher tonight. He’s the Cardinals version of Mike Zunino, at least in terms of the fast track: like Zunino, Wacha was a big star in college, was a 2012 first round draft pick, was rushed to Triple-A, and is holding his own. Wacha is 4-0 with a 1.99 ERA, so this will be a tough one for the Rainiers tonight.

Wong is a 22-year-old Hawaiian second baseman who is receiving glowing reviews around the PCL. He’s hitting .309 and has ZERO errors in 35 games at the keystone in his first taste of Triple-A ball.

The Redbirds have one former Rainiers player: catcher Rob Johnson, who is of course a former Mariner, too. Johnson is currently on the 7-day disabled list with some minor ailment, he’s supposed to come off it and play this weekend.

Look for Memphis first baseman Brock Peterson to have a fan club at Cheney Stadium. He was born in Centralia, and attended W.F. West High School in Chehalis (Class of 2002, I believe). He played in the Twins system for a few years, ended up in independent ball, and then was rescued by the Cardinals late last season. Peterson is off to a good start for Memphis, hitting .276 with five homers and 17 RBI.

One other important note on Memphis: certified Rainiers Killer Justin Christian is on their team. Let’s see if Tacoma can get him out this time around.

Tonight’s Game

Tonight’s game is at 7:05, and it is Thirst Thursday at Cheney Stadium. Tacoma starts LHP Jimmy Gillheeney (2-1, 2.37) against Memphis RHP Michael Wacha (4-0, 1.99). Catch the broadcast on South Sound Sports 850 AM, or streaming online right here. If you are using an iPad, try this link.

Links:

• The Rainiers game story from the final game of the road trip on Tuesday has reaction from Blake Beavan.
• Raul Ibanez ripped the Yankees yesterday, with two homers and a grand slam.
• Taijuan Walker is showing improved consistency at Double-A Jackson, Baseball America reports. If things continue to go well for Walker, I suspect we’ll see him in Tacoma in the second half.
• Ryan Divish’s minor league report notes that outfielder Julio Morban is on a tear at Double-A Jackson. The oft-injured Morban always hits when he is in the lineup…
• The PCL was off yesterday, but there are a few stories of note. For instance, the Colorado Springs mayor is checking to see if a downtown ballpark is feasible.
• Construction has begun on the new ballpark in downtown El Paso, Texas. The Tucson Padres are moving there next year.
• The Nashville newspaper is getting to know Scooter Gennett – one of my favorite names in the PCL; he’ll be here Monday.
• Round Rock Express team president Reid Ryan is getting a big promotion to the Houston Astros. Huge move for Reid, but a big loss for the PCL, where Reid is one of the top executives.

It’s going to be a great weekend. See you at the ballpark!

More Morning Baseball

We’re at it again: morning baseball, PCL style!

The Rainiers wrap up the road trip with a 9:30 AM game today. The team is off on Wednesday, and then opens an eight-game homestand on Thursday against Memphis (and top pitching prospect Michael Wacha).

On Monday Tacoma had a late rally fizzle out, and the Rainiers lost 5-3. Down 5-2 going to the ninth, Tacoma scored a run and loaded the bases with nobody out. New Orleans closer Chris Hatcher struck out three straight batters to end the game in rather dramatic fashion.

For all of the details on the game, check the first link down below.

Today’s game is an important one, in my opinion. The Rainiers are 2-5 on this road trip. They were swept the first four games in Oklahoma City, but if they win today that would mean a 3-1 series win on the road, and a not-so-bad 3-5 record on the trip.

Tacoma starts RHP Blake Beavan (0-2, 5.91) against New Orleans LHP Duane Below (2-1, 2.76). Tune in for the pregame show at 9:15, former Mariners closer David Aardsma is my guest. The broadcast is on 850 AM and streams online right here. If you are an iPad or iPhone listener, use this link.

Links:

• Here is the Rainiers game story I wrote for The News Tribune.
• The Mariners were off yesterday, but Larry Stone blogged a little preview of tonight’s Felix Hernandez vs. CC Sabathia match-up in New York. All of the Rainiers are going to miss it – we’ll be flying home, which is a good thing, but this is a game most of us would like to watch.
• In the PCL, Colorado Springs scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth to stun Omaha, 7-6. A strange play at the plate involving Adam Moore decided the game.
• The Reno Aces have added major league veteran Juan Rivera to the lineup.
• Fresno’s Heath Hembree nailed down another save, and he’s on a real roll right now. Fresno’s Brett Pill – the PCL leader in runs batted in – was called up by the Giants.
• Iowa scored six runs in the sixth inning and beat Reno, 6-4.
• Sacramento extended Nashville’s losing streak to four.
• Albuquerque topped Las Vegas, 5-2.
• The Review-Journal has a more detailed story on the new ownership of the Las Vegas 51s and their ballpark plan.

Wednesday is an off-day for the team, and I’m taking one, too. I’ll have a new post for you on Thursday to kick off the eight-game homestand.

Strange Things Afoot In 13-Inning Win

The Rainiers beat New Orleans in 13 innings on Sunday, 3-2. Nick Franklin hit a game-winning home run, and the Rainiers bullpen delivered 6.2 shutout innings.

For more of the normal details on the game, read the game story linked down below. For the rest of this post I’m going to write about the weird stuff that happened, because that’s how we roll here.

• The 13 innings was the longest game of the season in terms of innings, but it was completed in a rather speedy (for 13 innings) 3:48.
• New Orleans had two golden opportunities to win the game. In the bottom of the ninth, they had a runner at second with one out and did not score. In the 11th, they loaded the bases with one out against Brian Moran, who then got back-to-back strikeouts.
• New Orleans veteran Wilson Valdez was at the plate with one out and the winning runner at second base in the bottom of the ninth. He tried to bunt for a hit, bunting back to the pitcher for an easy out. Think about that strategic decision for a minute.
• Tacoma did not draw a walk yesterday in 13 innings, a total of 50 at-bats. The day before, Tacoma drew 12 walks – the most by the team in a single game since 2008.
• The Rainiers struck out 19 times in a game they won. The team has K’d 379 times in 38 games, for an average of 9.9 strikeouts per game. No other team in the PCL has reached 300 strikeouts yet.
• Those strikeouts don’t seem to matter, seeing how the Rainiers have the second-best record in the league.
• Tacoma used two pinch-hitters yesterday. In the first 37 games of the season, Tacoma used exactly one pinch-hitter.
• Along that same vein, new manager John Stearns has called upon a pinch-hitter three times in 11 games. Original manager Daren Brown did not use a single pinch-hitter in the 27 games he managed this year.
• Remember back in the off-season, when I wondered who would play center field for the Rainiers this year? There weren’t many candidates. Yesterday, three different players were used in center in the same game (Denny Almonte, Nate Tenbrink, and Corey Patterson).
• Tenbrink was supposed to have the day off, but a late scratch of Carlos Peguero (ankle) sent him into the lineup instead. He went 0-for-5 with five strikeouts.
• Tenbrink had struck out just once in his previous 16 plate appearances.
• It was only the second time that Tenbrink started a game and did not reach base with either a hit or a walk (32 starts).
• Stefen Romero, who had a grand slam and 5 RBI on Saturday, went 0-for-6.
• Franklin’s game-winning home run came off former Reno closer Jonathan Albaladejo. The Rainiers had never beaten Albaladejo before.

It doesn’t qualify as weird, but let’s give a shout-out to former Mariners and Rainiers reliever David Aardsma, who looked like a big-leaguer yesterday for New Orleans. He worked 2.1 perfect innings in relief, striking out four of the seven batters he faced.

—

We have a roster move, as the Rainiers have swapped switch-hitting Almontes.

Denny Almonte has been placed on the disabled list. I’m not sure what his injury is; I’ll ask when I get to the park in a few hours.

Replacing Denny is Abraham Almonte, up from Double-A Jackson. Abe hit .255 with four homers and 18 RBI. He hit right-handers hard and struggled against lefties.

Tonight’s game is at 5:00 (Pacific). Tacoma starts LHP James Paxton (2-2, 4.35) against New Orleans RHP Jacob Turner (2-3, 5.20). The broadcast is on 850 AM, streaming right here, or via TuneIn for the iPad people.

Links:

• The Rainiers game story in The News Tribune has quotes from John Stearns and the amazing Brian Moran.
• The Mariners coasted to a 6-1 victory behind Joe Saunders.
• John McGrath writes that Michael Saunders makes the Mariners fun to watch.
• Rick Randall has a good piece on Taijuan Walker and expectations.
• In the PCL, Adam Moore‘s homer was one of Omaha’s 20 hits, as the Storm Chasers whacked Colorado Springs, 14-4. Tacoma now leads the Pac-North by a half-game.
• Kila Ka’aihue had a walk-off homer as Reno stunned Iowa, 9-8.
• Salt Lake pulled away late for a 9-3 win in Oklahoma City.
• Tucson scored five runs in the bottom of the ninth to beat Round Rock, 7-6. Rocky Gale had the winning hit.
• Sacramento held on for a 6-5 win at Nashville. Michael Choice knocked his 8th homer for the River Cats.
• Fresno topped Memphis in the 11th inning, 7-4. Memphis phenom Oscar Taveras injured his ankle – I really want to see this kid play when the Redbirds come to Tacoma on Thursday.
• The Howard Hughes Corporation purchased the Las Vegas 51s and plans to move them to the suburb of Summerlin. This has been in the works for a while, but it was finalized yesterday. The 51s celebrated by beating the Isotopes.

Big Win In The Big Easy

The Rainiers arrived in New Orleans with a four-game losing streak, and they immediately ended it by blasting the Zephyrs on Saturday evening, 14-1.

Everybody in the lineup had at least one hit, eight of the nine had at least one RBI, and seven different players scored at least one run. It was that kind of day.

It was something the team badly needed.

After the game, Stefen Romero – who hit a grand slam – talked a bit about how a change of scenery helps the whole team, bringing some freshness to the club. That certainly appeared to be the case yesterday.

Now we’ll see if the Rainiers can keep it going. A series win here in New Orleans would salvage the road trip.

Today’s game is at noon (Pacific), with Tacoma sending RHP Jeremy Bonderman (2-3, 3.83) to the mound against New Orleans LHP Brian Flynn (1-2, 3.00). The broadcast airs on South Sound Sports 850 AM and streams online right here.

Links:

• The Rainiers game story from The News Tribune has quotes from manager John Stearns and grand slam guy Stefen Romero.
• My Minor League Notebook from the paper has notes from around the Mariners farm system.
• The Mariners lost a close one to Oakland last night, 4-3.
• Larry Stone’s Sunday baseball package has a column on the recent umpire problems in the majors, a notebook with an item on former Rainiers pitcher Michael Pineda, power rankings, and thumbs up-and-down.
• In the PCL, Colorado Springs remained a half-game ahead of Tacoma by beating Omaha, 10-7.
• Oklahoma City nearly did it again: trailing Salt Lake 6-1 going to the bottom of the ninth, they hit a three-run homer and then loaded the bases before Brandon Laird flied out to end the game.
• Sacramento prospect Sonny Gray returned to his old stomping grounds – Nashville – and shut down the Sounds.
• Tucson topped Round Rock, 6-1. The Padres are hanging around the .500 mark because of a good starting rotation.
• Las Vegas defeated Albuquerque with a good old-fashioned walk-off walk.
• Fresno held on for a 6-5 win at Memphis.
• Lots of coverage in the Reno paper today, even though the Aces lost again last night. Pitching is to blame for the Aces poor showing so far, although new starter Zeke Spruill looks good so far.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Swept Off To New Orleans

The last game in Oklahoma City was a real nail-biter, and the Rainiers lost it, 1-0.

That completed a four-game series sweep for Oklahoma City – their first against Tacoma since 2005. Hmmm…. the Rainiers won their division and reached the PCL Championship Series that year. Maybe the sweep is a good omen?

In any 1-0 game there are always a couple of turning points. Mistakes get magnified, and so do plays involving luck. For example, right fielder Eric Thames plunging through a faulty bullpen gate while trying to catch a deep fly may have cost the Rainiers the game.

I wrote the details in the game story – the first link down below – if you want to read about the turning points, and the great start by Jimmy Gillheeney.

Now we are in The Big Easy. However, New Orleans isn’t New Orleans anymore: the Zephyrs changed their visiting hotel, and we no longer get to stay in the French Quarter. Instead, we stay out by the airport (and near the ballpark). This change deserves a gigantic BOOOOOOOOO!!!!

New Orleans Preview

The New Orleans Zephyrs are the Triple-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. They moved over the .500 mark with an extra-innings win over Salt Lake last night, 3-2, to improve their record to 17-16 on the year.

Their coaching staff is manager Ron Hassey, pitching coach Charlie Corbell (a former Tacoma Tigers pitcher), and hitting coach Damon Minor (Fresno Grizzlies For Life!).

New Orleans has won five of their last seven games, including a 3-1 series win against Salt Lake. The Zephyrs have lingered right around .500 since opening day: they have not been more than two games over or under .500 yet this year.

The position players are mostly a veteran group. Ed Lucas is off to a good start this year; the former Omaha infielder is batting .319 with five homers. Bryan Peterson is a tough out, he’s hitting .282 with a .386 OBP. Ben Lasater is hitting just .230 but he leads the team with 18 RBI.

The Zephyrs have an excellent pitching staff, and they play in one of the true pitcher’s parks in the PCL. Their team ERA of 3.73 is one of the few in the league better than Tacoma’s 3.81.

They don’t have many top prospects – the Marlins top young talent is in Double-A and they have already jumped a couple of guys straight from AA to the big leagues (most notably power outfield prospect Marcel Ozuna). Twenty-two year old starter Jacob Turner is a pitcher to watch – he’s coming off a gem in his last outing and starts game three on Monday.

There is one former Rainiers and Mariners pitcher on their roster, and he’s a good one: reliever David Aardsma is throwing well, with a 3.38 ERA in eight games. I hope to catch him for a pregame show at some point during this series.

Tonight’s Game

The series starts this afternoon at 4:00 (Pacific). Tacoma starts RHP Andrew Carraway (4-1, 3.40) against New Orleans RHP Doug Mathis (1-2, 2.22). The broadcast will be on 850 AM and streaming online right here, with you iPadders going here instead.

Links:

• We start with the Rainiers game story I wrote for The News Tribune.
• In Baseball America’s Minor League Transactions, we learn that former Rainiers outfielder Johan Limonta was picked up by the San Diego Padres. For now, he’s at Double-A San Antonio.
• Rob Neyer wrote about Jack Z and the problem with prospects.
• The Mariners beat the A’s yesterday, and if they win today they’ll move into second place in the AL West.
• In the PCL, Drew Pomeranz was dealing and Colorado Springs sporked Iowa, 11-1. The Sky Sox moved into first place and lead the division by a half-game over Tacoma.
• New Orleans needed ten innings to dispatch Salt Lake, 3-2. Gorkys Hernandez had the game-winning sacrifice fly.
• Omaha had a big sixth inning to beat Reno and earn a series split.
• Tucson beat Albuquerque, and the paper has a story on players getting their first MLB call-up. Excellent Daren Brown story in here, involving catcher Rene Rivera.
• Port Orchard’s Aaron Cunningham had four hits as Round Rock rolled in Las Vegas, 12-6.
• It didn’t end until 1:00 AM, but Fresno topped Nashville in 12 innings, 5-4. Heath Hembree nailed down a difficult save.
• Sacramento got lit up in Memphis, 10-3. Oscar Taveras was 4-for-5 with a homer for the Redbirds.

We got off the plane and could immediately feel the humidity. Haven’t had this yet this season – maybe it will get all of our Southern guys hot at the plate.

Rainiers Drop Another, So Let’s Talk About Soccer

This trip to Oklahoma City is not going well for the Rainiers, who lost their third in a row on Thursday night, 3-1.

Blake Beavan pitched well, allowing three runs (two earned) in 5.2 innings. The problem was that the Rainiers couldn’t get a clutch hit: the team had plenty of base runners, but went 0-for-11 as a group with runners in scoring position. That ain’t gonna work.

Tacoma had won 12 out of 13 games coming into this series, and is now in danger of being swept. The team needs a win today before the road trip moves on to New Orleans on Saturday.

Tonight’s game is at 5:05 (Pacific), and as always the broadcast is on 850 AM and streaming online right here. If you are trying to listen on an iPad or some other i-Device, use TuneIn. Tacoma starts LHP Jimmy Gillheeney (2-0, 2.84) against Oklahoma City LHP Brett Oberholtzer (1-3, 7.71).

—

Cheney Stadium is hosting a Seattle Sounders Reserve League game on Sunday at 4:00.

I am not knowledgeable about soccer, but I am told that this game will feature some actual Sounders players, and will be played at a near-MLS level.

The Rainiers have gone all-out to convert the field for this game, putting sod over the dirt infield and removing the pitcher’s mound. Here’s a look at the layout:

Soccer alignment

Tickets are on sale now, with various Mother’s Day specials, etc. Check out the details on the Rainiers main website.

Links:

• We start with the Rainiers game story from The News Tribune.
• The paper has a story on Sunday’s soccer game and the possibility of a permanent Sounds affiliate playing in Tacoma.
• Larry Stone caught up with Raul Ibanez, who has a very positive outlook in the face of an early-season slump.
• The Tacoma zoo has a new baby tiger – check out the cute little kitty.
• In the PCL, Colorado Springs pulled within a half-game of the first-place Rainiers by beating Iowa, 5-1.
• Salt Lake won a pitcher’s duel at New Orleans, 2-1.
• Omaha split a doubleheader at Reno.
• Grant Green had a big game as Sacramento picked up a win in Memphis.
• Nashville had a break-out game and beat Fresno, 11-7.
• Tucson knuckleballer Eddie Bonine allowed seven straight hits to open the game against Albuquerque and was lifted without recording an out. The paper ran a nice story on Isotopes manager Lorenzo Bundy.
• Las Vegas edged Round Rock, 6-5. Express uber-prospect Jurickson Profar hasn’t been hitting, but he is still impressing.

A Loss For The Ages

I grew up listening to Hank Greenwald, the radio broadcaster for the San Francisco Giants. He used to have a saying that went something like this: “Every day that you go to the ballpark, you’ll see something new.”

Yesterday in Oklahoma City, I saw something I have never seen before. Unfortunately, it went against the Tacoma Rainiers.

Tacoma led 6-0 with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, there was nobody on base, and the Rainiers lost the game.

It was the biggest ninth-inning comeback I’ve ever seen. Toss in the two outs, nobody-on-base factor and… it boggles the mind.

Four straight Oklahoma City hitters had two strikes, and three of them were behind in the count, 0-2, before reaching base. Jonathan Villar – the skinny shortstop who bats leadoff for them – hit a game-tying grand slam to dead center field.

Once the RedHawks scored six with two outs in the ninth, you just knew they were going to win the game. And win it they did, in the tenth inning on a Tacoma throwing error. Of course, that error came with two outs on a ball that should have ended the inning.

It was a weird, weird, weird day at the ballpark. Actually, it was perfectly normal for the first 53 outs. Then it got weird.

For all of the details and quotes from both managers, check the first link down below.

I’m very curious to see how the team bounces back. I think that they are going to be fine – it wasn’t as bad in the locker room as I thought it might be; I think the guys are going to shake this one off as a fluke and move along.

Tonight’s game is at 5:05 (Pacific), and the broadcast will be on South Sound Sports 850 AM and streaming online right here. Tacoma starts RHP Blake Beavan (0-1, 9.00) against Oklahoma City RHP Asher “Half An Alphabet” Wojciechowski (0-0, 2.25).

Links:

• All of the dirty details from yesterday’s game are in the Rainiers game story in The News Tribune.
• The Daily Oklahoman has a story about Mike Zunino and the fast track.
• The Mariners earned a split in Pittsburgh as Felix Hernandez continued his streak of dominance.
• Michael Saunders is playing well for the Mariners.
• In the PCL, former Rainiers lefty Ryan Feierabend earned the win as Round Rock won in Las Vegas, 9-5.
• Things got weird in the Springs yesterday. It was Math Day, they had a big crowd, but a four-hour rain delay before the first pitch was a real bummer. Then scheduled starting pitcher Aaron Cook disappeared. The Sky Sox lost to Iowa, 8-6.
• Chris Owings had a nice game as Reno defeated Omaha, 7-5.
• New Orleans Zephyrs infielder Matt Downs has changed his name to Popcorn Downs. Not legally (yet). The Zephyrs beat Salt Lake, 3-2.
• Oscar Taveras had two hits and two RBI to help Memphis to a 6-2 win over Sacramento.
• Nashville topped Fresno, 5-2. The Sounds are now 9-22 on the year.
• Tucson reliever Jorge Reyes is opening eyes after a move to the bullpen.

Let’s see if the Rainiers can turn this thing around tonight!

Morning Baseball Today

The Rainiers dropped the opener in Oklahoma City on Tuesday night, 6-1. The team looked a little flat after the most grueling travel day of the season (so far).

Now it’s time for some morning baseball!

Oklahoma City decided to schedule an early game today, one day after both teams had a lengthy travel day. First pitch is set for 9:05 AM (Pacific).

Tacoma starts LHP James Paxton (2-2, 5.19) against Oklahoma City RHP Brad Peacock (first AAA appearance of the year).

The broadcast airs on South Sound Sports 850 AM and streams online right here.

For details on last night’s Rainiers game, please read the game story from The News Tribune.

Sorry, that’s all I can do today, due to the travel, the early start, and the sleep deprivation. As I wrote yesterday, this should be an “illegal” day game, out of courtesy to the players. Ah, the PCL life!

A proper blog post is coming Thursday, I promise.

Rainiers Take Hot Streak On The Road

Tacoma topped Reno on Monday afternoon, 7-4, to complete a highly successful homestand. The Rainiers went 7-1 against Tucson and Reno, moved into first place in the Pac-North, and established themselves as the first team in the PCL to go ten games over the .500 mark.

Andrew Carraway earned the win, going seven innings and allowing three runs. It was Carraway’s fourth straight victory.

The score was tied, 3-3, in the bottom of the seventh when Corey Patterson blasted a two-run homer in his Tacoma Rainiers debut. Corey Patterson? Yeah, you see…

Roster Move

Prior to yesterday’s game, Tacoma added outfielder Corey Patterson to the roster. He was signed to a minor league deal about a week ago, and had been working out in Peoria, AZ. Patterson is a long-time major leaguer; last year he spent the entire season with Nashville. It was the first time the 33-year-old didn’t appear in the majors since 2001.

To make room on the roster, reliever Tyler Burgoon was transferred back to Double-A Jackson.

The Trip

This is an eight-game road trip to two American Conference cities. The first four games are in Oklahoma City, and the next four are in New Orleans. Tacoma has not visited either city since the 2011 season.

The Rainiers next home game is on Thursday, May 16.

Oklahoma City RedHawks Preview

The RedHawks have one of the best records in the American Conference, entering play today at 18-12. The recently had a seven-game win streak, but it ended during a weekend series in Iowa that saw them drop two of the three games.

Oklhoma City is the Houston Astros top farm club. As you know, the Astros are terrible (when they are not playing the Mariners). They have made multiple roster moves to try to make their big league club better, including some today (they called up Jimmy Paredes and Trevor Crowe, and sent Brandon Laird back to Oklahoma City).

The fact that the Astros are so bad has a grand effect on the Triple-A team: the players in Oklahoma City are super-hungry. Opportunity to get promoted to the majors exists every day with the Astros struggling like this. Players are quite literally a hot streak away from a big league call-up.

The RedHawks have a team batting average of .296, but much of that offense has been promoted to Houston. Still, they have a few quality hitters – notably Laird, who is a very tough out in Triple-A. Infielder Jake Elmore was outstanding for Reno last year, and shortstop prospect Jonathan Villar is hitting over .300. Outfielder Marc Krauss is batting .297 with 6 home runs and 25 RBI, he’s been the top run-producer.

The top prospects are starting pitchers: Jarred Cosart – who starts tonight – has a power arm and good results so far. Thursday starter Asher Wojciechowski is coming off a real strong Triple-A debut, and the Rainiers will face former Sacramento River Cat Brad Peacock on Wednesday morning.

There are no former Rainiers on the Oklahoma City roster.

There is a familiar face managing the club: longtime Sacramento skipper Tony DeFrancesco is back at the helm of the RedHawks.

Tonight’s Game

Tonight’s game is at 5:05 at Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City. Tacoma starts RHP Jeremy Bonderman (2-2, 3.57) against Oklahoma City RHP Jarred Cosart (3-0, 2.63). It’s an interesting match-up: Bonderman just won the PCL Pitcher of the Week award, while Coasrt is considered to be one of Houston’s top prospects. The broadcast airs on South Sound Sports 850 AM and streams online right here.

Links:

• John McGrath enjoys day games at Cheney Stadium – he wrote the Rainiers game story for The News Tribune.
• The Mariners top two starting pitchers are dealing, Ryan Divish writes.
• Larry Stone has a little bit on red-hot Class-A outfielder Jabari Henry.
• Rainiers starter Jeremy Bonderman got some speculative “ink” in Buster Olney’s ESPN Insider column today ($).
• Brett Pill and Fresno knocked the Sky Sox 2.5 games behind Tacoma with a 7-5 win yesterday.
• A rain out? In Sacramento? No way. Actually, way.
• Tucson whacked Salt Lake, 6-1.
• New Orleans blew a big lead but won in extra innings at Albuquerque.
• Nashville ended a nine-game losing streak and beat Round Rock, 9-5.
• Matt Garza had a strong rehab outing for the Iowa Cubs yesterday.
• Omaha had to race to the airport after losing to Memphis in the 12th inning.

The street in front of our hotel is closed to traffic due to the Oklahoma City Thunder playoff game tonight. Think anyone here will go to the baseball game? I’m projecting a tiny crowd.