Bannister Buries Aces In 6-2 Rainiers Win

Motter, Beckham, and Muno homer against division-leading Reno

Tacoma Rainiers starting pitcher Nathan Bannister works against the Reno Aces on Friday, August 11, 2017 at Cheney Stadium. (Jeff Halstead)

By Tommy Sletten

August 12, 2017

TACOMA, Wash. - The Tacoma Rainiers (59-60) won their series opener with a powerful performance against the Reno Aces (68-51) on Friday night at Cheney Stadium, winning 6-2.Tacoma starter Nathan Bannister dismantled the dangerous Reno offense, pitching seven scoreless innings while striking out two and walking none. Bannister gave up

TACOMA, Wash. - The Tacoma Rainiers (59-60) won their series opener with a powerful performance against the Reno Aces (68-51) on Friday night at Cheney Stadium, winning 6-2.
Tacoma starter Nathan Bannister dismantled the dangerous Reno offense, pitching seven scoreless innings while striking out two and walking none. Bannister gave up only five hits in his appearance, earning the win.

The Rainiers offense was led by left fielder Taylor Motter (1x3, 2 R, HR, RBI, BB), first baseman Daniel Vogelbach (2x4, R, RBI), second baseman Gordon Beckham (1x2, 2 R, HR, 2 RBI, 2 BB), and third baseman Danny Muno (1x4, R, HR, 2 RBI).
Motter gave the Rainiers a quick lead with a solo home run over the left field fence in the bottom of the first inning, his fifth of the season.
Vogelbach extended the Rainiers lead in the bottom of the third inning with an RBI double that scored Motter from first. Beckham then drove in Vogelbach with a two-run home run, giving Tacoma a 4-0 lead.
Muno extended the Rainiers lead even further in the bottom of the eighth inning, hitting a two-run home run over the right field fence, his seventh of the season, scoring Beckham.
Reno broke up the shutout in the top of the ninth inning, scoring two runs, making the score 6-2 in favor of Tacoma.
The Rainiers face off against the Reno Aces in the second game of a four-game series Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. PT. Tacoma right-hander Tyler Cloyd (1-1, 5.54) and Reno right-hander Braden Shipley (6-6, 6.43) will pitch.
All tickets, group outings and suites packages for the 2017 season are available for purchase in person at the Cheney Stadium Box Office, online at www.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) or liking the team on Facebook.