Romero Lifts Rainiers To Walk-Off Win

TACOMA, Wash. -- Stefen Romero hit a walk-off grand slam to send the Tacoma Rainiers to a 13-10 win over the Fresno Grizzlies at Cheney Stadium on Saturday night.

Tacoma erased a 10-8 deficit with a five-run frame in the ninth inning. Michael Saunders drew a bases-loaded walk to bring the Rainiers within a run before Romero belted a go-ahead grand slam to left field with one out. The walk-off slam is the first hit by a Tacoma player since Carlos Peguero hit one against Colorado Springs on August 18 of last season.

The outfielder Romero ended the night 3-for-5 with four RBI. In seven games since being optioned from the Mariners on August 1, Romero is batting .367 (11x30) with four home runs and 10 RBI.

Tacoma combined to collect a total of 17 hits against the Grizzlies, and along with Romero, saw three-hit efforts turned in by Michael Saunders and Justin Smoak. In the first three games of his Major League Rehab assignment with the Rainiers, Saunders is batting .444 (4x9) with two RBI and six walks drawn.

Reliever Logan Bawcom (3-4) collected the win after tallying the final out in the top of the ninth inning. Starter James Gillheeney surrendered four runs on three hits in 1.2 innings. The left-hander fanned three and walked two in his 19th start this season.

The Rainiers (62-59) look to secure a series win over Fresno (58-63) in the fourth game of their five-game series with the Grizzlies scheduled for 1:35 p.m. tomorrow, August 10. Right-hander Taijuan Walker (4-3, 5.44) is slated to start for Tacoma. Fresno will start right-hander Chris Heston (10-6, 3.53).

To purchase season tickets, group packages or party decks for the 2014 season, call (253) 752-7707 or email [email protected]. Up-to-date news and notes throughout the 2014 season can be found at www.tacomarainiers.com and by following the Rainiers on Twitter (@RainiersLand) or liking the team on Facebook.