Rainiers Topple 'Topes In The Desert, 5-3
April 16, 2016 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Tacoma Rainiers News Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - The Tacoma Rainiers (7-2) strung together a dozen hits on the way to a 5-3 victory over the Albuquerque Isotopes (5-5) on Saturday night at Isotopes Ballpark.
The Rainiers offense was led by right fielder Stefen Romero (2x5), catcher Mike Zunino (2x3), first baseman Efren Navarro (2x4), and second baseman Tyler Smith (2x4). The four multi-hit performances produced a combined three runs and two RBI.
Rainiers starting pitcher Adrian Sampson (2-0) worked 6.0 innings in his second outing of the year, allowing three runs on nine hits with no walks and seven strikeouts to earn the win.
Rafael Ynoa led off the Isotopes half of the first inning with a double and came around to score two batters later on an RBI single from Mike Tauchman. Tauchman would go on to steal second, move to third on a single from Stephen Cardullo, and score on a sacrifice fly by Jordan Patterson, extending Albuquerque's lead to 2-0.
Navarro opened the second inning with a triple for Tacoma and plated the Rainiers first run two batters later on a groundout by designated hitter Rob Brantly.
Tacoma evened the score at 2-2 in the top of the fourth with an RBI double from third baseman Ed Lucas that brought Zunino across the plate after his leadoff two-bagger.
The score remained locked at 2-2 until the top of the sixth inning, when Zunino lifted a solo home run over the left field wall to give Tacoma a 3-2 lead. It marked Zunino's third consecutive game with a home run.
Tauchman opened the bottom of the sixth with a double, and back-to-back singles from Cardullo and Patterson drove him in to even the game at 3-3.
Outfielder Boog Powell kicked off the Rainiers seventh-inning rally with a double and came around to score one batter later on an RBI single from shortstop Chris Taylor. Romero advanced Taylor to third with a single, and Zunino lifted a sacrifice fly to left, scoring Taylor to give Tacoma the 5-3 advantage.
Steve Johnson and Mayckol Guaipe held the Isotopes scoreless over the final three frames, allowing only one hit. Guaipe struck out two Albuquerque batters in the ninth inning to earn his third save of the year.
The Rainiers pitching staff combined to strike out 12 Isotopes batters, while issuing just one walk.
Tacoma will send right-hander Donn Roach (1-0, 3.18) to the mound for game three against Albuquerque tomorrow, Sunday, April 17. The Isotopes will hand the ball to right-hander Eddie Butler (1-0, 4.50). First pitch is scheduled for 12:35 p.m. PT.
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Pacific Coast League Stories from April 16, 2016
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