Rainiers Snag Sixth Consecutive Victory

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Behind a quality start from left-hander James Paxton, the Tacoma Rainiers (17-11) grabbed their sixth consecutive victory in the form of a 6-1 decision over the Albuquerque Isotopes (16-13) on Friday night at Isotopes Ballpark.

Paxton (4-2) cruised through 7.0 innings for the Rainiers, allowing just one run on four hits with no walks and seven strikeouts. He threw 86 total pitches, 66 of which came across for strikes.

Center fielder Boog Powell (2x4) and catcher Rob Brantly (2x4) both posted multi-hit nights, while Brantly and left fielder Dario Pizzano (1x3) both drove in a pair of runs.

Tacoma ventured onto the scoreboard early with a run in the top of the first inning. Powell opened the frame with a single, moved to second on a wild pitch, advanced to third on a groundout by Efren Navarro, and came around to score on a passed ball.

The Rainiers loaded the bases with no outs in the top of the fourth to set up a two-run single by Brantly. Pizzano followed with a sacrifice fly that scored Shawn O'Malley from third base and expanded Tacoma's lead to 4-0.

Cody Decker's solo home run in the bottom of the fourth gave the Isotopes their only run of the night, and cut the Rainiers lead to 4-1.

Zunino blasted his league-leading ninth home run of the year, a solo shot to left field, to lead off the top of the sixth inning, giving the Rainiers a 5-1 lead.

Tacoma rallied for one final run in the top of the ninth - back-to-back single from O'Malley and Brantly set up an RBI single from Pizzano to create the final score of 6-1.

Casey Coleman and David Rollins each worked a single inning from the Rainiers bullpen, holding the Isotopes scoreless on one hit to secure the victory.

Right hander Adrian Sampson (3-1, 2.67) will take the mound for the Rainiers as they continue the series with game two tomorrow, Saturday, May 7. The Isotopes are expected to turn to right-hander Shane Carle (2-2, 7.92). First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 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.