Rainiers stun Sacramento on Saturday with Hanson’s three-run homer in eighth

Tacoma, WA (9/11/21) – In the race for the Triple-A West regular season title, the Tacoma Rainiers (66-45) extended their lead to two games over the Sugar Land Skeeters (64-47), with nine to play. Shut out until the eighth inning, Tacoma surged over the Sacramento River Cats (48-60) by a 4-2 final with a thrilling four-run frame, punctuated by a two-out, three-run homer to win it.

The Capital Cats drew first blood in the second; Mike Tauchman’s RBI double to the wall in center field scored Jason Vosler following a one-out single. Tauchman scored on another double, by Chadwick Tromp.

Tacoma starter Ryan Weber was more/less flawless the remainder of the evening, becoming only the second Rainiers arm to throw eight complete innings this season (Darren McCaughan, June 18 at Las Vegas). Both runs against Weber were earned, on only five hits. He struck out eight and did not walk a batter.

Sacramento starter Matt Shoemaker matched Weber pitch-for-pitch, for seven innings. He allowed only two hits, also had no walks, and struck out 11 Rainiers.

In the home eighth however, the Rainiers broke up the shutout following a pair of two-out walks to Dillon Thomas and Jack Reinheimer; Thomas scored easily on a Luis Liberato single to left field. A batter later, Alen Hanson cranked a three-run lined missile over the right field wall to give Tacoma a 4-2 lead, concluding the evening’s scoring and restoring the Rainiers back to a season-high 21 games over .500.

In the ninth, Justin Grimm worked around a leadoff single to retire the next three in order, including two strikeouts to finish his fifth save. Tacoma did not issue a walk for the 13th time this season.

The Rainiers will next be in action on Sunday, a 1:35 PT first pitch at Cheney Stadium. Sacramento will send LHP Scott Kazmir and his 299 career MLB starts to the mound; Tacoma will counter with RHP Logan Verrett, with whom they’ve won 12 of 15 starts.

Rainiers broadcaster Mike Curto will have full coverage on TacomaRainiers.com. All 2021 Rainiers games, home and away, can also be heard for free on the MiLB First Pitch app. HD video broadcasts of every home game can be viewed with an MiLB.TV subscription. (Use code: RAINIERS to save $10 on an annual subscription.

About the Tacoma Rainiers

The Tacoma Rainiers are the Triple-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. The Rainiers are a member of Triple-A West. Tacoma has been a Mariners affiliate since establishing the Rainiers moniker in 1995.

Single-game tickets for all remaining 2021 Rainiers home games are now available. Questions regarding season tickets can be directed to [email protected].

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.