Extra-base Hanson: Rainiers take series from Bees on Tuesday

Alen Hanson’s triple (run) and double (RBI) power Tacoma past Salt Lake, 4-1

July 21, 2021

Tacoma, WA (7/20/21) – The Tacoma Rainiers (35-30) took the final game of a seven-game series over the Salt Lake Bees (32-34) on Tuesday at Cheney Stadium, winning the series 4-3. A one-run group effort by Tacoma pitchers, paired with four runs in the first four innings, helped propel the

Tacoma, WA (7/20/21) – The Tacoma Rainiers (35-30) took the final game of a seven-game series over the Salt Lake Bees (32-34) on Tuesday at Cheney Stadium, winning the series 4-3. A one-run group effort by Tacoma pitchers, paired with four runs in the first four innings, helped propel the Rainiers to a 4-1 win, making Tacoma 32-17 when scoring at least four runs.

Luis Liberato got things started with a bang for Tacoma, homering to right field on the 10th pitch of the at-bat to lead off the game. His fifth home run on the year, the blast marked the seventh time this season the Rainiers have homered to begin a game. The lead didn’t last long though, with Jake Gatewood belting his 18th long ball on the year to start the second inning, tying the game 1-1.

The Rainiers regained the lead in the third, thanks to a Jack Reinheimer sac fly to score Alen Hanson (triple) and put Tacoma back up one. In the fourth, Jantzen Witte added an insurance run with an RBI single, bringing in Jose Marmolejos (walk). Hanson got in on the action later in the inning with an RBI double to right, giving the Rainiers the 4-1 advantage that would hold up.

The rest of the game belonged to the pitchers, as both sides matched zeros for the final five frames. Ryan Dull picked up his second win of the season, while Aaron Fletcher shut the door for his first save of the year.

Rainiers’ starter Ryan Weber turned in a solid outing for the Rainiers, tossing 4.1 innings of one-run ball, allowing six hits and striking out five. On the other side, Jaime Barria surrendered four runs on five hits and a walk in 3.1 innings of work, striking out three along the way.

Both bullpens were lights-out; for Tacoma, Casey Sadler (MLB rehab), Taylor Guerrieri, Zack Weiss, Ryan Dull and Aaron Fletcher combined for 4.2 scoreless innings of four-hit ball with six strikeouts and no walks. The Salt Lake relievers were equally impressive. A.J. Ramos, Austin Warren and Jose Quijada put together 4.2 innings of shutout baseball, striking out eight, and allowing only one baserunner (walk).

The Rainiers will be back in action on Thursday against the Sacramento River Cats at Cheney Stadium. RHP Penn Murfee will make his second career Triple-A start, as he opens the series for Tacoma against RHP Aaron Sanchez.

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.