Rainiers Rally for Five Ninth Inning Runs to Complete Comeback against Isotopes

Albuquerque, NM - A ninth inning error, wild pitch and passed ball by the Albuquerque Isotopes were all part of a five-run frame that helped the Tacoma Rainiers snap a three-game skid on Monday at Isotopes Park, 8-6.
Trailing by three, Tacoma (7-12) loaded the bases with nobody out in the ninth for third baseman Kristopher Negrón to double home two runs and put the go-ahead run in scoring position. A batter later, center fielder Braden Bishop reached on a throwing error by pitcher Yency Almonte (0-1) which scored catcher Austin Nola to tie the game.
After shortstop J.P. Crawford was intentionally walked, consequentially ending his 15-game hitting streak, a wild pitch plated Negron to put the Rainiers ahead for the first time since the seventh inning. One pitch later, Albuquerque (12-7) catcher Chris Rabago surrendered a passed ball, bringing in Bishop to give the Rainiers an insurance tally.

In the bottom of the ninth, right-hander Parker Markel shut the door with a 1-2-3 inning, clinching his first save of the season and just Tacoma's second (Alaniz, 4/5).
The Rainiers jumped out in front on the first batter of the game when Bishop crushed his first career Triple-A home run on a 3-0 pitch against Isotopes starter Nelson Gonzalez. Left fielder Eric Young, Jr. belted his own solo big fly in the second, putting Tacoma up, 2-0.
The Rainiers experimented with an "opener" on Monday, turning to lefty Matt Tenuta to start the game. Following a scoreless first inning, southpaw Justus Sheffield took over for the next three frames, allowing one run on three hits and throwing 46 pitches.
After two scoreless innings from right-hander Aaron Northcraft, Nick Rumbelow allowed two runs on a home run and did not record an out because he was ejected for hitting the following batter. Righty David McKay (2-0) got through the next two innings but allowed Albuquerque's go-ahead runs. The 24-year-old was credited with the win after the ninth inning rally.
The Rainiers will have their first off-day of the season on Tuesday before starting a five-game homestand against the Sacramento River Cats on Wednesday at Cheney Stadium. Right-hander Christian Bergman (0-1, 6.75) will make his first appearance in the South Sound this season with first pitch scheduled for 6:05 p.m. PDT. Mike Curto will have the call on South Sound Talk 850 with audio streaming available on the Rainiers TuneIn Radio Network.
All tickets, group outings, and suites packages for the 2019 season are available for purchase in person at the Cheney Stadium Box Office, online at TacomaRainiers.com and WeRTacoma.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), Instagram (tacomarainiers) or liking the team on Facebook.
- We R Tacoma -