Polo's Walk-Off Secures Rainiers Victory in Home Opener

Tacoma, Washington -  The Tacoma Rainiers coughed up a ninth inning lead in their home opener at Cheney Stadium Tuesday night, but right fielder Tito Polo singled home pinch runner Shed Long to walk off against the El Paso Chihuahuas, 5-4.
After El Paso (1-5) scored a run in each the eighth and ninth innings to tie the game at four apiece, catcher David Freitas led off the home half of the ninth with a walk before being replaced by Shed Long. Austin Nola roped a single to right field, advancing Long to third. After Tim Lopes was struck by a pitch to load the bases, Polo lined an 0-1 pitch from Phil Maton into center field, prompting the Rainiers to mob the Colombian outfielder at second base.
The Rainiers (2-4) found themselves with an early 2-0 deficit after El Paso home runs in each of the first two innings, but designated hitter Jose Lobaton smashed his second homer in as many days with a solo shot to left field, trimming the Chihuahuas lead to 2-1. 

Tacoma rallied for their first lead with a three-run fifth inning. Braden Bishop pulled a ground ball down the left field line which scored Freitas and Polo to put the Rainiers ahead, and an Eric Young, Jr., two-out bunt single scored Bishop from third. 
Right-hander Penn Murfee, who went sent from Extended Spring Training to Tacoma on Tuesday in newly-promoted Erik Swanson's place, combined with righty Tayler Scott to deliver five shutout innings from the third through seventh innings. Scott's lone baserunner reached on an error and he struck out six in his three frames.
Nick Rumbelow (1-0) allowed the game-tying run in the top half of the ninth, but closed out the inning and was awarded his first victory. As a staff, Tacoma pitchers gave up the four El Paso runs, all earned, on five hits while walking five and fanning 16.
Collectively, Tacoma plated their five runs off of 11 hits, two of which went for extra bases, including Lobaton's home run.
The Rainiers will take the field again on Wednesday, April 10 at 6:05 PM PDT for the second game of the series against El Paso as Tacoma southpaw Tommy Milone (0-0, 11.25) matches up with fellow lefty Logan Allen (0-1, 27.00).
All tickets, group outings, and suites packages for the 2019 season are available for purchase in person at the Cheney Stadium Box Office, online at 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) and Instagram (tacomarainiers) or by liking the team on Facebook.
- We R Tacoma -
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