Salt Lake buzzes by Tacoma on Tuesday

Tacoma, WA (6/28/22) – The Tacoma Rainiers (28-44) fell to the Salt Lake Bees (35-38) Tuesday night inside Cheney Stadium, by a 10-3 final in the series opener. Tacoma’s record against the Bees this season fell to 6-10, the Rainiers’ most frequently played opponent (30 games scheduled).

Through the first three innings of the contest, Rainiers RHP Konner Wade faced one above the minimum, allowing only two singles. Wade was aided by two runners caught stealing by catcher Brian O’Keefe. In the fourth, Wade allowed a home run to Jo Adell (9) that gave the Bees a 1-0 lead, sparking a double-digit night in the run column for the visitors.

Salt Lake would score eight runs in the top of the fifth on eight hits; former Rainier Jack Mayfield tallied a double and home run (2) in the inning.

Tacoma responded with two runs of their own following the eight spot by the Bees. Sam Haggerty doubled home Mason McCoy (fielder’s choice, WP) from second base. The double extended Sam Haggerty’s Triple-A on base streak to 21 games, dating to May 3. Jarred Kelenic also tallied an RBI in the home fifth with a single that scored Haggerty, closing the gap to 9-2.

In the top of the seventh Jose Rojas notched his third hit of the night, and extended the Bees lead to 10-2 with his eighth homer.

The Rainiers 100th homer of the season would be via O’Keefe in the bottom of the eighth, capping the scoring for the evening. The solo shot was O’Keefe’s sixth homer on the year and his 18th RBI in 36 games played.

The series will continue Wednesday in Tacoma with the first pitch at 6:05 p.m. PT. Left-hander Justus Sheffield will take the mound for the Rainiers, with fellow southpaw Reid Detmers on the hill for the Bees.

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 home 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.