Raleigh Extends Hitting Streak with Long Home Run, Rainiers Cannot Erase Early Deficit to Salt Lake

TACOMA, WA – The Rainiers were in a 5-1 hole after 1 ½ innings on Thursday night at Cheney Stadium, and twice battled back to get within a run, but the Salt Lake Bees held on to defeat Tacoma, 10-5. Catcher Cal Raleigh extended his hitting streak to 15 games with a solo home run, hit just right of the 425-foot-deep batter’s eye in center field.

With Tacoma (13-12) trailing 5-2 in the bottom of the 3rd inning, Raleigh belted a 1-1 pitch from Salt Lake (10-15) left-hander Thomas Pannone (2-2) for the round-tripper. The blast was the switch-hitter’s sixth of the season and his second against southpaws.

Raleigh has hit safely in 15 straight games, which is the longest active streak in the Triple-A West after Round Rock outfielder Delino DeShields had his 19-game hitting streak snapped on Thursday against El Paso. During the stretch, Raleigh is 28-for-65 (.431) and has raised his season batting average from .214 to .366.

Salt Lake started the scoring with 3 runs against Rainiers starter Ryan Dull (0-1) in the opening inning. Two hit batters and an error in the frame helped the Bees build the 1st inning advantage.

Tacoma responded in the home half of the inning when Raleigh grounded out to score Shed Long Jr. who reached with his third double in two games. Long is with Tacoma on a Major League rehab assignment and is 6-for-24 (.250) in his first five games with the Rainiers.

The Bees added two runs in the 2nd inning against lefty Max Roberts to extend their lead, 5-1.

After Raleigh’s home run, Tacoma strung together singles from right fielder Dillon Thomas and left fielder José Marmolejos, a walk to first baseman Jantzen Witte, and an RBI ground out for third baseman Ty Kelly. The Rainiers left two in scoring position in the 3rd inning and trailed, 5-4.

Down 6-4 in the 6th inning, Thomas drew a bases-loaded walk that plated shortstop Jack Reinheimer for Tacoma’s final run. Salt Lake scored 4 unanswered runs over the final three innings to secure the 5-run victory.

Jimmy Yacabonis pitched a scoreless 5th inning for the Rainiers, lowering his season ERA to 1.76. The righty has made four consecutive scoreless appearances since May 25, totaling 5 1/3 innings with 4 hits, 1 walk and 4 strikeouts.

Right-hander Justin Grimm and lefty Aaron Fletcher both provided an inning of relief and each surrendered a run while combining for 5 strikeouts. Righty Vinny Nittoli pitched the final 2 innings for Tacoma and gave up 3 runs.

The Rainiers and Bees will continue their six-game series on Friday at Cheney Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. PT as Tacoma right-hander Darren McCaughan (1-1) will match up against Salt Lake righty Jake Faria (1-1).

Rainiers broadcaster Mike Curto will have full coverage on TacomaRainiers.com. All 2021 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 an MiLB.TV subscription. (Use code: RAINIERS to save $10 on an annual subscription.)

About the Tacoma Rainiers

The Tacoma Rainiers are the Triple-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. The Rainiers are a member of the Triple-A West. Tacoma has been a Mariners affiliate since establishing the Rainiers moniker in 1995.

Single-game tickets for all remaining 2021 Rainiers home games are now available. Questions regarding season tickets can be directed to [email protected].

The most up-to-date news and notes about the Tacoma Rainiers and Cheney Stadium can be found at WeRTacoma.com, or by following the Rainiers on Twitter (@RainiersLand), Instagram (@tacomarainiers) and liking the team on Facebook.