Tacoma Falls To Las Vegas, 14-6

LAS VEGAS, Nev. - The Tacoma Rainiers (11-10) dropped a 14-6 decision to the Las Vegas 51s (10-10) on Friday night at Cashman Field.

Left fielder Mike Baxter led the Rainiers 14-hit effort with a 4-for-5 performance that included two doubles and one RBI. Right fielder Stefen Romero (2x5), first baseman Efren Navarro (2x5), catcher Mike Zunino (2x5), shortstop Shawn O'Malley (2x4), and designated hitter Dario Pizzano (2x4) all posted multi-hit performances for Tacoma.

Las Vegas notched 11 hits and took advantage of four Rainiers errors to score 11 runs in the first two innings. Three of the errors were fielding errors committed by Tacoma second baseman Chris Taylor.

Tacoma answered with three runs of their own in the opening frames. Navarro got the Rainiers on the board with an RBI single in the first, and Baxter followed two batters later with a run-scoring double. Center fielder Boog Powell's sacrifice fly in the second inning made the score 11-3, Las Vegas, after the first two innings.

O'Malley opened the Rainiers half of the fourth inning with a leadoff single, moved to third on a groundout and fielding error, and came around to score on an RBI force out by Taylor.

Romero extended his hitting streak to 13 games, six shy of his career best mark, with a two-run home run in the top of the sixth inning, cutting the 51s lead to 11-6.

Las Vegas would tack on three runs over their final three chances at the plate, extending their lead to the final margin of 14-6.

Rainiers starting pitcher Joe Wieland (1-3) lasted just 1.0 inning, allowing 10 runs (five earned) on seven hits - he walked two and struck out one. Casey Coleman, Jonathan Aro, Paul Fry, and Blake Parker worked a combined 7.0 innings for Tacoma, allowing four runs (three earned) on eight hits.

The Rainiers and 51s meet again for game three of their four-game set tomorrow, Saturday, April 30. Right-hander Cody Martin (3-1, 7.58) gets the nod for Tacoma, while righty Seth Lugo (1-2, 10.66) will take the mound for Las Vegas. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. PT.

All tickets, group outings and suites packages for the 2016 season are available for purchase in-person at the Cheney Stadium Box Office, online at www.tacomarainiers.com, or over the phone at (253) 752-7707. The most up-to-date news and notes about the Rainiers throughout the season can be found by following the Rainiers on Twitter (@RainiersLand) or liking the team on Facebook.