Shed Long Jr. Leads Off with First Home Run, Rainiers Hang On to Beat Salt Lake
TACOMA, WA – Down a run in the opening inning on Saturday, the Rainiers rallied for 5 runs across the first two frames, starting with a leadoff home run from second baseman Shed Long Jr., as Tacoma defeated the Salt Lake Bees, 5-4. Four Tacoma relievers combined for 5 1/3
TACOMA, WA – Down a run in the opening inning on Saturday, the Rainiers rallied for 5 runs across the first two frames, starting with a leadoff home run from second baseman Shed Long Jr., as Tacoma defeated the Salt Lake Bees, 5-4. Four Tacoma relievers combined for 5 1/3 innings, allowing 1 run and combining for 9 strikeouts.
Long belted a 2-0 pitch from Salt Lake (11-16) starter Jake Buchanan (1-2) over the right-center field wall to tie the game, 1-1. The home run is Long’s first since joining Tacoma (14-13) on a rehab assignment on May 28.
Tacoma has homered in 14 straight games, the longest active streak in the league. The 14-game stretch matches the club’s longest streak since May 11-25. The team record since 2005 is 17 straight games with a long ball from June 25-July 15, 2010.
The Rainiers added 2 runs in the 1st inning on a shallow pop up to right field by first baseman Jantzen Witte that dropped and scored catcher Luis Torrens and center fielder Dillon Thomas.
In the 2nd inning, Thomas poked a 2-run double to center field, plating Long and third baseman Brett Rodriguez, building the Tacoma lead, 5-1.
Salt Lake started the scoring with a 1st inning home run from center fielder Jo Adell. The solo shot is Adell’s league-leading 15th of the season. Rainiers (14-13) starter Bernie Martinez allowed 3 runs on 6 hits while striking out one Bees hitter.
Justin Grimm (2-0) earned his second win of the season by pitching 1 1/3 perfect innings with 3 strikeouts. The right-hander relieved Martinez with two outs in the 3rd inning and a runner on third base. Grimm struck out Brennon Lund on four pitches, stranding the runner.
Right-handers Wyatt Mills and Williams Jerez each pitched a pair of scoreless innings, with Mills punching out four and Jerez striking out two. Righty Jimmy Yacabonis allowed a 9th inning home run but forced Adell to ground out to shortstop to end the game and earn his second save of the campaign.
The Rainiers and Bees will continue their six-game series on Sunday at Cheney Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 1:35 p.m. PT as Tacoma right-hander Vinny Nittoli (1-0) will face off against Bees righty Jaime Barria (0-1).
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 the 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.