Rainiers Dropped By Tucson, 5-3

TACOMA, Wash. - The Tacoma Rainiers suffered a 5-1 series-opening loss to the Tucson Padres at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium on Wednesday night.

Tucson scored five unanswered run over the game's first five innings, beginning when Jonathan Galvez grounded into a double play that plated Dean Anna in the first. Cody Decker hit a solo home run in the second and Mike Wilson stretched the Padres lead to 3-0 after hitting an RBI single in the third.

In the fifth inning, Decker and Gregorio Petit hit run-scoring singles with two outs in the bottom of the frame that increased Tacoma's deficit to 5-0.

Rainiers second baseman Ty Kelly hit a sac fly that plated catcher Jason Jaramillo in the sixth before Tacoma posted a two-run rally in the ninth. Kelly scored on a fielding error and Abraham Almonte hit an RBI single that drove in Franklin Gutierrez.

The Rainiers tallied a total of seven hits in the opener, led by 2-for-4 efforts put together Jaramillo and outfielder Joe Dunigan.

Starter Blake Beavan (4-6) was dealt the loss after surrendering five runs on 10 hits over five innings. The right-hander struck out two and walked two in his 14th turn in the Rainiers rotation this season.  

The Rainiers (70-62) play the second game of a five-game series at Tucson (68-63-) tomorrow, August 22. Left-hander James Paxton (7-10, 4.26) is scheduled to start for Tacoma against Padres left-hander Robbie Erlin (7-3, 4.87). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

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.