Rainiers ground Aviators in shutout win

Tacoma, WA (8/10/22) – The Tacoma Rainiers (48-58) blanked the Las Vegas Aviators (52-54) 3-0 on Wednesday night at Cheney Stadium. Las Vegas baserunners reached second base twice, and did not touch third all game. The Rainiers pitching staff allowed just three hits while striking out seven to even the series against the Aviators at one apiece. It marked Tacoma’s seventh shutout of the season and their first since July 26 against El Paso.

The Rainiers got on the board in the home second. Taylor Trammell led off the frame with a single to left, and Drew Ellis advanced him to third on a bloop double down the right field line. With one out, Abraham Toro laced a ground ball up the middle. The Aviators shifted him perfectly, as shortstop Kevin Smith easily snared the ball and fired to first, eliminating what should have been a single for Toro. However, Trammell scored on the play, giving Tacoma a one-run advantage.

Evan White added to the Rainiers’ lead in the third. After a Derek Hill leadoff single, the rehabbing first baseman crushed a hanging slider from Las Vegas RHP Collin Wiles over the wall in left, making it a 3-0 game. The two-run homer was White’s first long ball since he went deep against Sacramento River Cats on June 14, 2021. Wiles pitched well for the Aviators, earning a quality start for his 6.2 IP, 3 R effort.

Tacoma starter Chris Mazza pitched his best appearance of the season in his sixth start for the Rainiers, throwing five scoreless innings, allowing just two hits while striking out five and walking one. The righty retired the first eight Aviators he faced, and 15 of 18 overall. The only opportunity Las Vegas had to score was in the bottom of the third, when with two out, they strung together a walk and single. Mazza settled down immediately thereafter, striking out power-hitting third baseman Sheldon Neuse on three pitches to end the threat.

Four Rainiers relievers kept the shutout intact to secure the 3-0 victory. RHP Ken Giles, LHP Brennan Bernardino, LHP Anthony Banda (making his Tacoma debut) and LHP Nick Ramirez allowed a combined one baserunner and struck out two over four innings of work. Ramirez picked up the save, his tenth of the season.

Tacoma faces off against Las Vegas next on Thursday evening at 7:05 p.m. PT at Cheney Stadium. RHP Darren McCaughan gets the start for the Rainiers and will be opposed by LHP Jared Koenig for the Aviators.

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.