Rainiers drop seesaw Sunday at SAC, 10-8

West Sacramento, CA (8/7/22) – The Tacoma Rainiers (47-57) had their three-game win streak halted on Sunday afternoon, falling 10-8 in the series finale to the Sacramento River Cats (44-61). In winning four of six games during each of their weeklong visits to Sacramento this season (May 17-22), the Rainiers came from behind in all four of their victories since Tuesday, and were poised to make it five on Sunday before an eighth inning lead slipped away. The clubs combined to hit seven home runs in the matinee, and the three Tacoma homers each traveled 400 or more (estimated) feet.

Sacramento scored in each of the first two innings, on a Heliot Ramos RBI double and a Drew Jackson solo homer to center.

Trailing 4-0 in the fifth, the Rainiers remained unfazed playing from behind as they had all week. Scott Heineman blasted his second homer with Tacoma, to center (405 feet) with the bases empty, before Mason McCoy did the same, also to center (400 feet), trimming the deficit to two runs. It was McCoy’s 11th homer and his second straight game going yard, after his three-run shot in the ninth on Saturday was the game-winning hit.

The Rainiers rallied ahead an inning later. Jonathan Villar led off with a double and scored a batter later on a Curt Casali (MLB rehab) single. Zach Green immediately followed with his 15th home run, smashed 425 feet to the left field alley. The two-run shot was the furthest-hit ball of the day, as Tacoma tallied three runs in the sixth from their first three batters. The score was 6-4 in the seventh when Marcus Wilson doubled to left and scored on Villar’s single to left.

It was square again in the home half of the seventh, when Ford Procter homered (left-center) for the first time with Sacramento. The two-run shot (Ramos walk) made it a 6-6 ballgame.

The pendulum swung back Tacoma’s way in the eighth after Green singled and Joe Odom walked. With two out, Wilson delivered with his second double of the day. This one was yanked to left, scoring Forrest Wall (pinch runner) and Odom for an 8-6 advantage.

Sacramento held serve in their half of the eighth, when David Villar smacked his 22nd homer to left-center, another two-run shot that re-tied the game (Isan Diaz walk). With the score still 8-8 in the ninth, Jackson hit his second home run of the afternoon, this one to left field to walk it off, yet another two-run shot (Proctor single).

The clubs combined to use 11 pitchers during the slugfest, with shutout performances from Tacoma’s bullpen including LHP Nick Margevicius (1.2 IP, 1 H, 2 K) and RHP Riley O’Brien (1.0 IP, 0 H, 2 K).

Following an off day Monday, the Rainiers will return to Cheney Stadium to begin a season-long 13-game homestand from August 9-21 (doubleheader on 8/13, off on 8/15). It begins with a 7:05 PT first pitch on Tuesday against the Las Vegas Aviators (Oakland A’s); RHP Konner Wade will start for Tacoma, against Las Vegas LHP J.P. Sears.

Rainiers broadcaster Mike Curto will have full coverage on TacomaRainiers.com. All 2022 Rainiers games, home and away, can also be heard for free on the MiLB First Pitch app. HD video broadcasts of every 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 at WeRTacoma.com, or by following the Rainiers on Twitter (@RainiersLand), Instagram (@tacomarainiers) and liking the team on Facebook.