What Happens in Vegas…(a Rainiers win)

Las Vegas, NV (7/29/21) – The Tacoma Rainiers (40-33) moved a season-high seven games over .500 on Thursday night in the desert, with a wire-to-wire 4-1 victory over the Las Vegas Aviators (37-36) in the series-opener. Tacoma is embarking on a 12-game road trip, equaling their longest of the season from June 17-29 (7-5).

The Rainiers, winners of three straight and four of five, surged to an early 2-0 lead with a four-hit first inning, including run-scoring knocks by Brian O’Keefe and Jose Marmolejos.

Las Vegas scored their only run in the fifth, when Mickey McDonald led off with a single, moved to third on a Marty Bechina double, and scored on a balk.

Tacoma starter Penn Murfee worked 4.1 innings, working around four hits and three walks. The run on the balk was earned, and he struck out six.

Leading 2-1 in the seventh with two out and the bases loaded, Jake Fraley (MLB rehab assignment) worked a full count before looping a two-run single to give the Rainiers a 4-1 advantage. That closed the book on Aviators starter Miguel Romero after 6.2 IP (6 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 5 K). Tacoma scored all of their runs on two-out, RBI singles while improving to 16-15 on the road.

Brian Schlitter worked around a Bechina one out double in a scoreless ninth, inducing three groundouts to secure his second save of the season. A quartet of Tacoma relievers (Daniel Zamora, Matt Festa, Jimmy Yacobonis and Ryan Dull) did not allow a hit in the 3.2 innings between Murfee and Schlitter.

The Rainiers will next be in action on Friday night at Las Vegas Ballpark, as MLB veteran RHP Asher Wojciechowski, who made his most recent start for the Yankees on July 21, is scheduled to make his Tacoma debut on the mound. RHP Brian Howard is the probable starter for the Aviators.

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.