Rainiers Drop Series Opener With Chihuahuas, 3-1

EL PASO, Texas - The Tacoma Rainiers (35-28) dropped their series opener against the El Paso Chihuahuas (31-34) on Tuesday night at Southwest University Park.
Tacoma starting pitcher Rob Whalen (0-4) took the loss after allowing three runs on six hits (two home runs) over 6.0 innings of work. He walked two and struck out four.

Leadoff solo home runs for El Paso in the first and fourth innings, along with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the second, spotted the Chihuahuas a 3-0 lead over the Rainiers.
Tacoma cracked the scoreboard with a single run in the top of the fifth. Second baseman Zach Shank dropped a one-out single into center field and was driven in by shortstop Ryan Jackson, who doubled down the right field line in the next at-bat. The brief rally cut the Chihuahuas lead to 3-1.
Jackson (2x3, 2B, RBI) collected the Rainiers only multi-hit outing.
Jonathan Aro (0.2 IP) and Dean Kiekhefer (1.1 IP) wrapped up the remainder of the game from the Tacoma bullpen. The duo held the Chihuahuas without a hit while striking out two.
Rainiers right-hander Chase De Jong (2-3, 4.32) and El Paso righty Bryan Rodriguez (1-4, 4.94) face off as the series continues on Wednesday night. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. PT.
All tickets, group outings and suites packages for the 2017 season are available for purchase in person at the Cheney Stadium Box Office, online at www.tacomarainiers.com, or over the phone at (253) 752-7707. The most up-to-date news and notes about the Rainiers throughout the season can be found by following the Rainiers on Twitter (@RainiersLand) or liking the team on Facebook.