Tacoma Drops Series Opener to Round Rock, 9-2

ROUND ROCK, TX (September 15, 2026) — The Tacoma Rainiers (37-33/70-75) scored a run in the eighth and ninth innings but dropped the series opener to the Round Rock Express (39-31/70-75) by a score of 9-2 at Dell Diamond on Tuesday. Connor Joe and Leo Rivas both turned in multi-hit performances while Joe and Willie MacIver each drove in a run.

Pitching was the story early on Tuesday night. Connor Joe’s two-out double in the first inning was the only base runner Tacoma had through the first three frames. Round Rock was held hitless across the first three innings, but was able to get a runner on base in each of those frames with a walk.

The Express opened the scoring in the bottom of the fourth inning. Kyle Higashioka reached second on a fielding error to lead off the frame and then, John Taylor punched a double down the left field line. Higashioka scored without a throw to give Round Rock a 1-0 lead. Michael Helman singled on a ground ball that deflected off of a diving Patrick Wisdom’s glove. The next batter, Aaron Zavala, hit a ground-rule double over the right-center field wall, pushing Helman up to third and plating Taylor, doubling the lead. Back-to-back groundouts from Jonah Bride and Trevor Hauver scored Helman and Zavala, making it 4-0.

Round Rock extended the lead in the sixth inning. With one out, Bride walked, Hauver singled and Keyber Rodriguez walked to load the bases. Bride scored on a sacrifice fly to center field by Cam Cauley to make it 5-0. Then, Logan O’Hoppe hit a double into the left field corner, plating Hauver and Rodriguez to give the Express a seven-run lead.

The Express added two more in the bottom of the seventh inning. Taylor worked a leadoff walk and the next batter, Helman (6), hit a two-run home run over the left field wall to make it 9-0.

Tacoma got on the board in the top of the eighth inning. Ryan Bliss drew a one-out walk and moved up to third when Leo Rivas smacked a single into right field. Then, Connor Joe grounded into a fielder’s choice, scoring Bliss and making it 9-1.

The Rainiers entered the ninth inning chasing nine runs. They were able to get a run on a one-out sacrifice fly by Willie MacIver but ultimately fell 9-2 on Tuesday.

The Rainiers look to even the series Wednesday night as RHP Simeon Woods Richardson will take the mound for his third start with Tacoma. First pitch scheduled for 4:45 PM (PST).

POSTGAME NOTES:

• INF Leo Rivas extended his on-base streak to 27 games with a single in the fourth inning Tuesday…it’s the longest streak by a Rainiers hitter this season and the longest since Harry Ford reached safely in 28 straight games from July 18-August 30, 2025…Rivas has extended his streak over three separate stints with Tacoma this season (May 22-31, July 17-28 and August 27-c) and has a .469 OBP in that span.

• INF/OF Connor Joe turned in a multi-hit performance in the series opener, extending his hitting streak to six games…he finished 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI…since the streak started on September 9, he is batting .364 (8x22) with a double, two home runs and four RBI.

• RHP Charlie Beilenson spun 1.2 hitless innings in relief Tuesday night, his longest hitless outing at the Triple-A level…Beilenson has started September with four scoreless appearances, allowing three hits and one walk while striking out two across 3.2 innings of work.

• OF Nolan Jones extended his hitting streak to six games with a single in the seventh inning Tuesday…Jones has recorded a hit in 11 of his 13 games played in September…since September 1, Jones is slashing .300/.373/.440 with a double, two home runs and 10 RBI.