6th inning struggles doom Tacoma on Thursday
Oklahoma City, OK (9/14/23) – Only two innings were scored in on Thursday, and the Tacoma Rainiers (73-68, 36-30) couldn’t hold a 2-0 lead, losing 4-2 to the Oklahoma City Dodgers (86-53, 36-30). It remained a challenging road trip for Tacoma, now 2-7 with three games remaining on this 12-game
Oklahoma City, OK (9/14/23) – Only two innings were scored in on Thursday, and the Tacoma Rainiers (73-68, 36-30) couldn’t hold a 2-0 lead, losing 4-2 to the Oklahoma City Dodgers (86-53, 36-30). It remained a challenging road trip for Tacoma, now 2-7 with three games remaining on this 12-game sojourn. The Rainiers slipped below .500 on the road in the second half (16-17) for the first time since they were 0-1 on July 4. Tacoma is 7-5 this season against OKC (2-4 road).
A scoreless game into the fifth inning, Tacoma broke through with a two-out, bases loaded Cade Marlowe single up the middle. Pedro Severino (reached on error) and Robbie Tenerowicz (single) each scored.
OKC reeled off four runs in the sixth to take the lead for good, after five of their first six batters had a base hit. Miguel Vargas and Jake Marisnick each had an RBI double, with Marisnick later scoring on a Ryan Ward single. Ward scored the fourth run on a wild pitch. Marisnick, on an MLB rehab assignment, doubled twice. Drew Avans (BB, run) joined Marisnick with multiple hits for the home side, and reached base a game-high three times.
Rainiers RHP Darren McCaughan ended up working 5.1 IP on 90 pitches (58 strikes), after initially tossing five scoreless frames (7 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 5 K). Dodgers right-hander Nick Frasso went 5.0 IP: 3 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 4 BB, 5 K (94 pitches).
In the ninth, right-hander Ricky Vanasco secured his first career Triple-A save in only his second appearance at the level, by retiring the Rainiers in order (one strikeout).
The weeklong series will continue with the fourth game on Friday, a 5:05 PT/7:05 CT first pitch at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. LHP Kyle Hart is scheduled to start for Tacoma.
Rainiers broadcaster Mike Curto will have full coverage on TacomaRainiers.com. All 2023 Rainiers games, home and away, can also be heard for free on the MiLB First Pitch app. HD video broadcasts of every home game can be viewed with a MiLB.TV subscription.
About the Tacoma Rainiers
The Tacoma Rainiers are the Triple-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. The Rainiers are a member of the Pacific Coast League and have been a Mariners affiliate since establishing the Rainiers moniker in 1995.
The most up-to-date news and notes about the Tacoma Rainiers and Cheney Stadium can be found by following the Rainiers on Twitter (@RainiersLand), Instagram (@tacomarainiers) and liking the team on Facebook.