Rainiers Mount Late Comeback, Topple River Cats 8-5

Pitching staff collects season-high 15 strikeouts, including nine from Max Povse

Rainiers infielder Seth Mejias-Brean. (Jeff Halstead)

By Tacoma Rainiers Communications

May 15, 2018

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The Tacoma Rainiers (20-20) scored eight unanswered runs to mount an 8-5 comeback victory over the Sacramento River Cats (20-20) on Tuesday afternoon at Raley Field.Right fielder Cameron Perkins led the offense with a 3-for-5 performance - he scored twice and collected a double. Third baseman

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The Tacoma Rainiers (20-20) scored eight unanswered runs to mount an 8-5 comeback victory over the Sacramento River Cats (20-20) on Tuesday afternoon at Raley Field.
Right fielder Cameron Perkins led the offense with a 3-for-5 performance - he scored twice and collected a double. Third baseman Seth Mejias-Brean, making his first appearance with Tacoma this season, went 2-for-3 with one run scored, a double, one RBI, and a walk.

The Rainiers fell behind 1-0 in the bottom of the first inning and faced a 3-0 deficit heading into the sixth, which is where the offense went to work.
Between the sixth and eighth innings the Tacoma offense collected six hits and took advantage of two Sacramento errors to tally eight unanswered runs and grab an 8-3 lead. A run-scoring groundout in the top of the seventh off the bat of second baseman Taylor Motter broke a 3-3 tie and gave the Rainiers their first lead of the afternoon.
The River Cats rallied for two runs in the final innings but the Rainiers bullpen shut to door and secured Tacoma's 8-5 victory.
Tacoma starting pitcher Max Povse allowed three runs on five hits over five innings of work and did not factor into the decision. He walked four and struck out a season-best nine.
Lindsey Caughel (1-1) earned the win after relieving Povse and working 1.1 scoreless innings. Dario Álvarez (0.2 IP) also notched a scoreless outing, while Shawn Armstrong (1.0 IP) and Mike Morin (1.0 IP) both gave up one run.
Tacoma's pitching staff set a season-high mark in strikeouts for the second game in a row, this time tallying 15 strikeouts.
The Rainiers enjoy a day off on Wednesday before returning home to Cheney Stadium to face off against the Las Vegas 51s on Thursday at 7:05 p.m. PT. Tacoma will start right-hander Christian Bergman (3-3, 3.40) while Las Vegas will call upon right-hander Scott Copeland (1-0, 6.00).
All tickets, group outings, and suites packages for the 2018 season are available for purchase in person at the Cheney Stadium Box Office, online at 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.