Tacoma shocks Sacramento in 9th to take series
West Sacramento, CA (8/6/22) – The Tacoma Rainiers (47-56) stunned the Sacramento River Cats (43-61) on Saturday night, as a three-run go-ahead homer in the ninth inning propelled the visitors to their sixth win in seven games and a 4-1 lead of this weeklong road set. At a 9-5 record
West Sacramento, CA (8/6/22) – The Tacoma Rainiers (47-56) stunned the Sacramento River Cats (43-61) on Saturday night, as a three-run go-ahead homer in the ninth inning propelled the visitors to their sixth win in seven games and a 4-1 lead of this weeklong road set. At a 9-5 record post All-Star Break, Tacoma has already locked up a series win heading into Sunday’s matinee finale. The Rainiers have also won both of their series at Sacramento this season (took four of six May 17-22). Tacoma is 11-6 against the River Cats, and 8-3 in the California capital.
Jason Vosler’s 13th Triple-A homer of the season, to right field, put Sacramento on top 1-0 in the first inning.
Tacoma lefty Austin Warner worked five complete innings as he continues to transition from the bullpen to the starting rotation. Warner allowed only two hits and a walk, while striking out six. He was mostly flawless following the first inning home run.
It was 2-0 River Cats in the seventh however, when Jason Krizan doubled to center, scoring Austin Dean (single). RHP Taylor Williams inherited a bases loaded jam with one out in the seventh, but stranded all runners against his former club from earlier this season, with a pair of strikeouts to keep it a two-run deficit.
The Rainiers broke up the shutout in the eighth. Taylor Trammell (MLB rehab) singled up the middle, and moved to second base on a two-out walk to Drew Ellis. Erick Mejia dropped a single into right field that scored Trammell.
In the ninth, Zach Green (walk) and Forrest Wall (bunt single) immediately crowded the bases. It set the table for Mason McCoy’s 10th homer, a three-run shot yanked to left field with one out, which proved to be the game-winner.
In the bottom of the ninth, LHP Nick Ramirez worked around a one-out single with a strikeout, converting his ninth save. Emerging as Tacoma’s primary ninth inning option, Ramirez’s last five appearances have all been successful save opportunities, dating to July 28. Ramirez has finished five of Tacoma’s last seven wins with very little drama: 5.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 5 K.
The series finale is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. PT on Sunday at Sutter Health Park. Southpaw and Seattle Mariners 40-man player Justus Sheffield is slated to start for the Rainiers, against River Cats right-hander Tristan Beck.
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 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.