Rainiers Drop Slugfest With Bees, 11-9

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - The Tacoma Rainiers (61-64) collected nine runs on 12 hits, but were sunk by two big innings in an 11-9 loss to the Salt Lake Bees (64-61) on Thursday night at Smith's Ballpark.
Shortstop Taylor Motter led the Rainiers offense with a 4-for-5 performance, racking up four runs, two doubles, one home run and two RBI - it was his first four-hit game of the season. Second baseman Gordon Beckham collected four RBI on a 2-for-3 outing that included two doubles.

First baseman Daniel Vogelbach continued his extended hot streak at the plate, going 2-for-4 with two runs, one RBI, and a walk. Third baseman Shawn O'Malley went 1-for-4 with a run scored, one double, and a walk to extend his season-long hitting streak to nine games.
The Rainiers took and early 2-0 lead in the top of the first but let it slip away with a seven-run bottom of the second for the Bees. Tacoma clawed back into the game with one run in the third and three in the fifth before retaking the lead with a two-spot in the top sixth.
They extended their lead to 9-7 with an RBI double from Beckham, but surrendered four runs in the bottom of the frame to hand Salt Lake an 11-9 victory.
Right-hander Christian Bergman (8-3, 4.88) takes the mound for Tacoma on Friday as they look to avoid a sweep in Salt Lake. The Bees will be handing the ball to righty Daniel Wright (6-8, 7.25) to start.
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.