Rainiers Defeated by Salt Lake, Reinheimer and Thomas each Drive Home Two Runs

Tacoma jumps out to first inning lead but are quickly matched, series tied heading into Saturday’s game three

(Jeff Halstead)

May 15, 2021

SALT LAKE CITY, UT – A two-run Dillon Thomas automatic double put Tacoma ahead in the opening half inning at Smith’s Ballpark on Friday, but the Salt Lake Bees scored five unanswered runs to pull away from the Rainiers in a 6-4 final. Thomas’ two-bagger gave him 5 RBI in

SALT LAKE CITY, UT – A two-run Dillon Thomas automatic double put Tacoma ahead in the opening half inning at Smith’s Ballpark on Friday, but the Salt Lake Bees scored five unanswered runs to pull away from the Rainiers in a 6-4 final. Thomas’ two-bagger gave him 5 RBI in the first two contests of the six-game series, and three games with two or more RBI in his first seven appearances for Tacoma.

After a Salt Lake (2-6) error and a walk allowed first baseman Eric Filia and catcher Cal Raleigh to reach base in the 1st inning, Thomas pulled an 0-2 pitch from Bees starter Andrew Wantz into right field and over the wall, scoring both baserunners. Thomas added a leadoff single in the 6th inning and scored on a 2-run knock from shortstop Jack Reinheimer.

Thomas’ 2-for-4 effort improved his early season slash line to .381/.500/.762 with 2 home runs, 8 RBI and 7 runs.

Taylor Trammell, who led Tacoma’s 15-run Thursday night onslaught in his Triple-A debut, added two singles on Friday to give him 6 hits in his first two Rainiers games.

Darren McCaughan (0-1) made his season debut with the Rainiers (4-4) and gave up 5 earned runs across 4 innings. Lefty Aaron Fletcher, who was optioned to Tacoma on Wednesday, pitched a scoreless 5th inning with 2 strikeouts in his Rainiers debut.

Reeves Martin gave up 1 run in a pair of innings and Ryan Dull dealt a perfect 8th inning to keep the game within reach.

The Rainiers and Bees will continue their six-game series on Saturday night at Smith’s Ballpark. First pitch is scheduled for 5:35 p.m. PT as southpaw and reigning Triple-A West Pitcher of the Week Héctor Santiago (0-0, 0.00) will match up against fellow lefty Thomas Pannone (0-1, 3.60).

Rainiers broadcaster Mike Curto will have full coverage on TacomaRainiers.com. All 2021 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 an MiLB.TV subscription. (Use code: RAINIERS to save $10 on an annual subscription.)

About the Tacoma Rainiers

The Tacoma Rainiers are the Triple-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. The Rainiers are a member of the Triple-A West. Tacoma has been a Mariners affiliate since establishing the Rainiers moniker in 1995.

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