Trammell’s homer sparks comeback at SAC

West Sacramento, CA (8/5/22) – The Tacoma Rainiers (46-56) won for the fifth time in six games on Friday night, riding a big sixth inning and continued superb relief pitching to a 4-2 victory over the Sacramento River Cats (43-60).

Sacramento shortstop Shane Matheny, a night after hitting his first career Triple-A homer, staked the home side to a 2-0 lead in the third inning when he hit his second. It was a two-run shot to right field following an Austin Dean single.

The Rainiers roared back in the sixth, with an eight-batter, four-run frame. Taylor Trammell (MLB rehab) drilled a 424-foot solo homer to right field that left the bat at 113 mph for Tacoma’s first run, which was easily the furthest and hardest hit ball of the night by either lineup. Erick Mejia’s two-run single put the Rainiers in front, plating Curt Casali (walk) and Jonathan Villar (double). Brian O’Keefe drove in Mejia with a single of his own, for a 4-2 visitor advantage. Villar and Mejia ended the night with two hits apiece.

Rainiers RHP Darren McCaughan threw 93 pitches while spreading three hits and four walks over 5.2 IP. The two runs against him were earned, and McCaughan struck out five. River Cats RHP Sean Hjelle went six innings (87 pitches): 7 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 3 K.

Tacoma lefties Roenis Elias (1.1 IP, 0 H, 1 K) and Fernando Abad (1.0 IP, 1 K) held the lead, Elias stranding the bases loaded to finish the sixth inning. Right-hander Drew Steckenrider worked around a leadoff single and struck out the final three batters of the game in succession, all swinging, to nail down the save.

The penultimate game of this weeklong series will begin with a 6:37 PT first pitch on Saturday at Sutter Health Park. LHP Austin Warner is Tacoma’s scheduled starter.

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.