Rainiers Rally Falls Short

For the first time this season, the wind was blowing out at Cheney Stadium – and so were the baseballs.

Albuquerque and Tacoma combined to hit six home runs on Monday night, but the ‘Topes had the upper hand by hitting four of them – and one of them was a grand slam.

The Rainiers went to the bottom of the ninth inning trailing 8-4, but they scored two runs and had the tying men on base when the final out was recorded.

Tacoma is 1-4 on this homestand, but they have threatened in the bottom of the ninth inning in each game so far:

• Friday: down 4-1 to El Paso, Rainiers score a run and bring the tying run to the plate before losing 4-2.
• Saturday: down 6-1, Tacoma scored twice and loads the bases before making final out in a 6-3 loss.
• Sunday: down 9-7, a leadoff walk bring tying run to plate with nobody out but Tacoma does not score.
• Monday: Rainiers win!
• Tuesday: trailing 8-4, Tacoma scores twice and puts tying runners on base in an 8-6 loss.

The Rainiers are now 4-9 on the year but it’s not hard to picture them reeling off a winning streak.

RAINIERS ROUND-UP

Yesterday: Both Tim Wheeler and Cristhian Adames hit two home runs as Albuquerque beat the Rainiers in the series opener, 8-6. Wheeler’s first inning grand slam gave the ‘Topes a lead which they did not relinquish.

Today: Albuquerque (8-5) at Tacoma (4-9) 7:05 PM (Pacific).

Opponent Affiliation: Albuquerque is now a Colorado Rockies affiliate.

Season Series: Albuquerque leads, 4-1.

Starting Pitchers: RHP Chad Bettis (1-1, 5.23) at LHP Mike Kickham (0-1, 6.75)

Kickham had a wild home opener for the Rainiers, and he currently leads the PCL with 12 walks issued. He’ll try to get things under control tonight in his third start of the season.

Hot Rainiers: Chris Taylor has hit safely in eight straight games (11-for-31). Franklin Gutierrez had a hit and two walks on Monday, and he has hit safely in seven of the eight games he’s played in this season.

Look Out For: Isotopes first baseman Ben Paulsen has a 11-game hitting streak, going 15-for-40, but Tim Wheeler has been the Rainiers real problem. In four games against Tacoma, Wheeler is 5-for-13 with four homers and eight RBI.

Broadcast: The pregame show starts at 5:50 (Pacific) on South Sound Sports 850 AM. The broadcast also streams online via the TuneIn app – just click here.

PCL Scoreboard: follow all Pacific Coast League games in real-time with links to Gameday screens right here.

Links:

• In the Rainiers game story, starting pitcher Sam Gaviglio says the problem was too many walks.
• The Mariners had a bullpen collapse and lost to Houston last night, 6-3.
• Bob Dutton’s Mariners Notebook talks about wasted production and pitching alternatives.
• Manager Lloyd McClendon is concerned about Hisashi Iwakuma‘s command.
• In the PCL, Abraham Almonte homered as El Paso beat up on Sacramento, 7-1.
• Salt Lake took advantage of some sloppy play to defeat Fresno in the 11th inning.
• Reno won the first game of the “Silver State Challenge” against Las Vegas, 8-3. PCL rookie to follow: Reno’s Pete O’Brien is a power hitting outfielder who is off to a torrid start.
• It was Time Capsule Night in Omaha (or at least it should have been) as Casey Kotchman hit a two-run double to help Joe Blanton earn the win in a 4-2 victory against Memphis.
• Luke Jackson had a good start as Round Rock defeated Colorado Springs, 8-2.
• Nashville couldn’t get a hit with runners in scoring position and lost to Oklahoma City, 6-2.
• The Iowa Cubs had a strong outing from starter Donn Roach in a 6-4 win against New Orleans.

Looks like the sun is out again – it’s been a great homestand for enjoying the ballpark.