Rainiers Blank River Cats, 4-0

TACOMA, Wash. - Blake Beavan's seven shutout innings steered the Tacoma Rainiers to a 4-0 victory over the Sacramento River Cats at Cheney Stadium on Saturday night.

The right-hander limited the River Cats to three hits and three walks and struck out a season-high seven batters over seven scoreless frames. Beavan improved to 6-6 in his 16th and final start with the Rainiers this season.

Left-handed reliever Bobby LaFromboise completed the shutout and earned his fifth save of the season after holding Sacramento to one hit and striking out two over two scoreless innings through the eighth and ninth.

The Rainiers jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth inning. First baseman Rich Poythress hit a one-out double and then scored from second base on a throwing error committed by River Cats catcher Derek Norris on a putout attempt.

Tacoma's lead stretched to 2-0 one inning later in the fifth when Xavier Avery scored from second on a line drive single hit by second baseman Ty Kelly with one out.

Nate Tenbrink scored the Rainiers third run after catcher David Freitas committed a throwing error with two outs in the eighth, and Leury Bonilla upped Tacoma's lead to 4-0 with a solo home run two batters later.

The Rainiers (75-67) look to seal a series win in the third game of a four-game series with Sacramento (78-64) scheduled for 1:30 p.m. tomorrow, September 1st. Left-hander Danny Hultzen (4-1, 2.20) is scheduled to start for Tacoma against River Cats right-hander Travis Banwart (10-5, 4.43).

Every Rainiers game throughout the 2013 season can be heard live on South Sound Sports 850-AM and is available for online streaming at www.tacomarainiers.com.

To purchase season tickets, group packages or party decks for the 2013 season, call (253) 752-7707 or email [email protected]. Up-to-date news and notes throughout the season can be found at www.tacomarainiers.com and by following the Rainiers on Twitter (@RainiersLand) or liking the team on Facebook.