Bees even series after big first inning

Tacoma, WA (6/29/23) – The Tacoma Rainiers (38-39, 1-1) dropped game two against the Salt Lake Bees (38-38, 1-1) 9-4 at Cheney Stadium on Thursday night. Thursday’s remain a challenge for the Rainiers, who drop to 0-6 when hosting on a Thursday (1-11 overall).

RHP Darren McCaughan (L, 3-4) made his 72nd start for Tacoma, the seventh-most in franchise history. McCaughan is four starts away from passing Jim Hughes of the Tacoma Twins (1973-74 and 1977) for the sixth-most starts for Tacoma.

A strikeout looking in the first inning earned McCaughan his 346th career strikeout, passing Scott Atchison for sixth most Ks in Tacoma’s Triple-A history. McCaughan (5.0 IP, 2 K) is seven strikeouts shy of passing Gerry Thomas of the Tacoma Giants (1962-64) for fifth all-time (354 K).

Salt Lake sent all nine batters to the dish in the first inning, grabbing an early 4-0 lead over the Rainiers. Puget Sound native Jake Lamb (RBI ground rule double) added a run to the board in the third inning, extending the Bees’ lead over Tacoma, 5-0.

Zach DeLoach’s ninth home run of the season off right-hander Chase Silseth drove in Jake Scheiner (single) to break the silence for Tacoma, cutting their deficit to 5-2 in the bottom of the fourth inning.

The Bees brought three additional runs across the plate in the sixth inning with RHP Juan Then pitching in relief of McCaughan. Then allowed four hits, two walks and fanned one batter in one inning of work.

Right-handers Ryder Ryan (2.0 IP, 2 K) and Nolan Blackwood (1.0 IP, 1 R, 1 K) worked through the late innings, giving the Rainiers three last outs to climb themselves out of a 9-2 hole.

Colin Moran’s two-out monster shot to right field earned him his fifth home run (26 RBI) of the season, but was not enough to propel a walk-off opportunity.

The Rainiers will resume their second-half opening series against the Salt Lake Bees on Friday at Cheney Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PT. LHP Tommy Milone will be on the mound for Tacoma against Salt Lake’s RHP Cesar Valdez).

Rainiers broadcaster Mike Curto will have full coverage on TacomaRainiers.com. All 2023 Rainiers games, home and away, can also be heard for free on the MiLB First Pitch app. HD video broadcasts of every home game can be viewed with a MiLB.TV subscription.

About the Tacoma Rainiers

The Tacoma Rainiers are the Triple-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. The Rainiers are a member of the Pacific Coast League and have been a Mariners affiliate since establishing the Rainiers moniker in 1995.

The most up-to-date news and notes about the Tacoma Rainiers and Cheney Stadium can be found by following the Rainiers on Twitter (@RainiersLand), Instagram (@tacomarainiers) and liking the team on Facebook.