Rainiers Fail to Climb Out of Early Hole, Aces Claim Third Straight in Series
TACOMA, WA – The Rainiers bats struggled to find a rhythm for the second straight night as the Aces jumped in front early and never looked back to claim the 8-3 victory at Cheney Stadium. Tacoma amassed just five hits and could not capitalize on their opportunities as they went
TACOMA, WA – The Rainiers bats struggled to find a rhythm for the second straight night as the Aces jumped in front early and never looked back to claim the 8-3 victory at Cheney Stadium. Tacoma amassed just five hits and could not capitalize on their opportunities as they went 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position.
Reno (34-17) got their bats going early thanks to an RBI single from catcher Jamie Ritchie in the 1st. Right fielder and Seattle native Stuart Fairchild followed that in the 2nd inning with a line drive into the R Yard and provided the Aces with a 2-0 advantage.
Tacoma (26-23) responded in the bottom half of the 2nd with a solo blast of their own from left fielder and soon-to-be Olympian Eric Filia, narrowing the margin to 2-1.
The Aces broke the game open in the 3rd as they tallied four runs in the frame. A couple base knocks and a 2-run homer off the bat of left fielder Henry Ramos was responsible for the damage. Rainiers starter Robert Dugger (0-1) finished with a line of three innings pitched, eight hits, six runs (all earned), two walks, and two strikeouts.
Reno topped off their scoring for the night in the 5th as shortstop Camden Duzenack poked a single through the six hole to score two and provide the Aces with an 8-1 lead.
Shortstop Donovan Walton obliterated a baseball, sending it over the scoreboard in right center field to leadoff the 8th inning. Later in the inning the Rainiers loaded the bases with one out, but the only run they scored came in the form of a sacrifice fly from first baseman Jantzen Witte and brought the score to 8-3 as right fielder Dillon Thomas came around from third.
Seven Reno pitchers saw action in the contest with southpaw Alex Young (1-0) earning his first win on the year after pitching the 5th and 6th innings with two hits and no runs.
The bullpen combination of lefty Daniel Zamora and right handers Erik Swanson and Taylor Guerrieri pitched scoreless frames over the last four innings. The trio surrendered three hits and one walk in the process.
The Rainiers and Aces will continue their six-game set Sunday at Cheney Stadium with first pitch scheduled for 12:35 p.m. PT.
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.
Single-game tickets for all remaining 2021 Rainiers home games are now available. Questions regarding season tickets can be directed to [email protected].
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.