McCaughan remains masterful despite defeat in extras

Sugar Land, TX (6/21/22) – The Tacoma Rainiers (26-40) lost their fourth straight on Tuesday, 3-1 in 10 innings, to open a weeklong road series against the Sugar Land Space Cowboys (29-38). The clubs combined for only six hits, and 30 strikeouts (15 apiece). The Rainiers will look to avoid a season-high skid on Wednesday in suburban Houston.

On the heels of a 116-pitch, one-hit performance in his most recent start on June 15 vs. Sacramento at Cheney Stadium (7.1 IP, career-high 11 K), Rainiers RHP Darren McCaughan was lifted after 69 pitches and 5.0 scoreless IP with the remainder of the season in mind. This time out McCaughan allowed only three hits, all singles, and did not walk a batter. He struck out six and threw 51 pitches for strikes.

With the game scoreless into extra innings, McCaughan would take a no-decision, snapping a streak of four consecutive starts with a winning decision. He’s allowed two or fewer earned runs in five straight starts. Sugar Land starter Shawn Dubin went five innings as well: 2 H, 3 BB, 6 K.

Tacoma’s bullpen shone brightly, with Wyatt Mills (2 K), Matt Festa (3 K), Danny Young (1 K) and Matt Koch (3 K) all working a scoreless frame in McCaughan’s stead.

The Rainiers began the 10th with an automatic runner at second base (Zach Green), via the international tie-breaker rule. Green would move to third on a deep fly ball to center by Drew Ellis, and scored when Andrew Knapp grounded out to first. In the home 10th however, the Space Cowboys put runners at first and second following a leadoff walk to Lewis Brinson, before David Hensley smashed his fifth homer of the season to right-center, ending the game with nobody out for the 3-1 final score.

The setback dropped Tacoma to 9-4 in series-opening games this season, and 5-2 in such games on the road.

Game two of the series will be on Wednesday at Constellation Field in Sugar Land. Right-hander Konner Wade heads to the hill for Tacoma, against Space Cowboys lefty Jonathan Bermudez for a 7:05 CT/5:05 PT first pitch.

Rainiers broadcaster Mike Curto will have full coverage on TacomaRainiers.com. All 2022 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 at WeRTacoma.com, or by following the Rainiers on Twitter (@RainiersLand), Instagram (@tacomarainiers) and liking the team on Facebook.