PCL Tacoma Rainiers

3-Homer 6th Powers R Victory

Published on July 28, 2023 under Pacific Coast League (PCL)
Tacoma Rainiers News Release


Tacoma Rainiers' Didi Gregorius on game day
Tacoma Rainiers' Didi Gregorius on game day
(Tacoma Rainiers, Credit: Jeff Halstead)

Tacoma, WA - The Tacoma Rainiers (49-50, 12-12) won for the first time at home on Thursday this season, 5-2 over the Salt Lake Bees (47-51, 10-14). The Rainiers grabbed a 2-1 series lead over the Bees (7-8 overall), heading into the final three games of the homestand.

An early pitcher's duel between Tacoma RHP Marcus Walden (5.0 IP, 3 H, 1 (E)R, 1 BB, 2 K) and Salt Lake RHP Jonathan Holder (3.0 IP, 1 H, 1 (E)R, 2 BB, 3 K) remained scoreless through two and a half innings. The two right-handers retired a combined 12 batters in order during this stretch.

Tacoma took the first lead in the third inning on a two-out base knock by Cooper Hummel (24 RBI), scoring Zach DeLoach (BB, SB).

Salt Lake's Jack Lopez started the fifth inning with a solo shot to tie it 1-1. The Bees took the lead 2-1 in the sixth as Kevin Padlo drilled a ball just inside the hot corner line into left field for a double to drive in David Fletcher (1B).

The Rainiers wasted no time answering back and adding insurance in the bottom half of the sixth. With one out, Didi Gregorius (1-for-3, RBI) and Brian O'Keefe (1-for-4, RBI) sent back-to-back home run balls to each side of the field for a 3-2 Tacoma lead.

This marked the third time O'Keefe (17 HR) has been involved in back-to-back round-trippers this season and the first time the Rainiers have gone back-to-back at home this year.

The breakthrough inning did not stop there, as Jake Scheiner singled and was followed by newcomer Robbie Tenerowicz's two-run homer to left-center field, extending the lead to 5-2. Tenerowicz was transferred to Tacoma from Double-A Arkansas where he hit a home run two days prior.

Logan S. Allen (3.0 IP, 3 K) earned his second win of the season for the Rainiers, but not before Stephen Kolek (1.0 IP, 2 K) retired the side in order in the ninth for his first Triple-A save.

Tacoma will embark on the second half of the weeklong series against Salt Lake on Friday at Cheney Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PT. RHP Adam Oller gets the nod for the Rainiers while LHP Kenny Rosenberg is slotted for the Bees.

Rainiers broadcaster Mike Curto will have full coverage on TacomaRainiers.com. All 2023 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 a MiLB.TV subscription.





Images from this story

Tacoma Rainiers' Didi Gregorius on game day
Tacoma Rainiers' Didi Gregorius on game day

(Jeff Halstead)
  



Pacific Coast League Stories from July 28, 2023


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