Rainiers Stopped By Salt Lake, 8-4

TACOMA, Wash. - The Tacoma Rainiers fell to the Salt Lake Bees 8-4 at Cheney Stadium on Thursday night. The loss clinched the Pacific North Division title for the Bees and eliminated the Rainiers from playoff contention this season.

Salt Lake and Tacoma matched runs in the second inning and ended the frame tied at 1-1. Third baseman Andy Marte hit a solo home run to give the Bees a 1-0 edge that lasted only until Abraham Almonte hit an RBI single in the bottom of the inning.

Stefen Romero hit his ninth home run of the season in the third - a two-run blast that gave the Rainiers a 3-1 advantage. Salt Lake bounced back with two runs in the fourth thanks to Roberto Lopez' two RBI double with two outs.

Tommy Field's solo shot in the sixth gave Salt Lake a 4-3 edge that eventually turned into a five-run lead after the Bees posted four runs on four hits in the fourth. Drew Heid hit an RBI double and then scored on a throwing error, Efren Navarro delivered a run-scoring double and Marte lined an RBI single to cap of the inning.

First baseman Ji-Man Choi singled home Stefen Romero with one out in the seventh to account for Tacoma's final run of the night.

The Rainiers lineup combined to collect 10 hits, led by Ty Kelly's 3-for-3 effort. Abraham Almonte and Nate Tenbrink each turned in two-hit efforts for the Rainiers.

Starter Hector Noesi (3-3) was dealt the loss after allowing four runs on seven hits over six innings. The right-hander struck out five without issuing a walk.

The Rainiers (73-67) host the team's final series of the season when the Sacramento River Cats (78-62) head to Cheney at 7 p.m. tomorrow, August 29. Right-hander Forrest Snow (3-0, 3.34) gets the start for Tacoma against River Cats right-hander Carlos Hernandez (1-2, 6.00).

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.