Rainiers Fall to Redbirds, 8-2
May 20, 2011 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Tacoma Rainiers News Release
Tacoma, WA - The Tacoma Rainiers fell behind early and struggled to gain any ground in an 8-2 series-opening loss to the Memphis Redbirds in front of 5,483 fans at Cheney Stadium on Thursday.
Tacoma surrendered back-to-back two-run innings to the Redbirds beginning with catcher Tony Cruz's bases-loaded sacrifice fly in the second inning. Two batters later infielder Donovan Solano singled to right, scoring Aaron Luna from second. Designated hitter Nick Stavinoha drove in the first run in the third with an RBI-double with one out, followed by a sacrifice fly from infielder Matt Carpenter.
Rainiers catcher Josh Bard hit a two-run single to right field that cut Memphis' lead to 4-2 in the third before the Redbirds rattled off four more runs over the fifth through the eighth innings. Stavinoha hit his seventh home run of the season with a solo shot in the fifth. The shortstop Solano capped things off with the first home run of his 2011 campaign with a two-run blast in the eighth.
Bard was one of just two Rainiers who turned in multi-hit games, going 3-for-4 with a pair of RBI. Outfielder Johan Limonta increased his team-leading batting average to .375 after collecting a pair of hits against Memphis on Thursday.
Redbirds starter Lance Lynn (3-3) picked up the win after holding the Rainiers to two runs on eight hits over six innings, while walking two and fanning five. Tacoma starter Luke French (0-5) was dealt the loss, surrendering five runs on seven hits over six innings with two walks and four strikeouts.
The Rainiers (16-25) return to action to play the second game of their four-game series with Memphis at 7:05 p.m. on Friday. Right-hander Blake Beavan (1-1, 5.40) is scheduled to take the mound for Tacoma in the outing against Redbirds right-hander Adam Ottavino (1-3, 2.85). The game can be heard live on South Sound Sports 850-AM and streamed online at www.tacomarainiers.com.
For season tickets, group or party deck information for the 2011 season, call (253) 752-7707, email tickets@tacomarainiers.com or visit our website at www.tacomarainiers.com .
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