Aviators Outslug Rainiers in Series Finale on Sunday
Published on May 29, 2022 under Pacific Coast League (PCL)
Tacoma Rainiers News Release
Jarred Kelenic of the Tacoma Rainiers
(Tacoma Rainiers, Credit: Jeff Halstead)
Tacoma, WA - The Tacoma Rainiers (16-31) fell to the Las Vegas Aviators (26-21) by a 10-8 final on Sunday afternoon at Cheney Stadium, as Vegas won four of five in the rain-shortened series.
On the fourth pitch of the game, Aviators centerfielder Billy McKinney homered off Rainiers RHP Daniel Ponce de Leon, giving Las Vegas an early 1-0 lead. The home run was McKinney's third of the series. Five batters later, Vince Fernandez mashed a three-run homer to right field, increasing the Las Vegas lead to 4-0.
The Rainiers had their first baserunners in the top of the third on two walks allowed by Aviators starter Parker Dunshee. Jarred Kelenic, coming off a 4-for-4 (3B, HR) game on Friday, brought them both home on an opposite field shot to left field, drawing the Rainiers within a run, on his third Triple-A homer of the season.
Las Vegas tacked on a run in the fourth on an RBI single from McKinney. This ended Ponce de Leon's outing after 3.1 innings and 91 pitches; he allowed six hits and struck out five. The Aviators scored two more in the frame, giving them a 7-3 lead.
The Rainiers immediately responded in the bottom of the fourth. A string of hits by Andrew Knapp, Alex Blandino, Kelenic and Evan White (2B, 2B, 2B, 1B) brought three runs to the plate, making it a 7-6 game.
Las Vegas tallied one run in both the fifth and sixth innings, increasing their lead to 9-6.
Tacoma got a run back in the bottom of the sixth on an RBI single from Kelenic, his third hit of the game. Kelenic finished a triple short of the cycle. The Rainiers drew one run closer in the bottom of the eighth on an RBI double from Erick Mejia, the final run of the day on the home side, making the score 9-8.
Vegas scored the final run in the top of the ninth on a Fernandez RBI single, winning 10-8.
Tomorrow is a travel day for the Rainiers. Their next game will take place on Tuesday, May 31 at Reno. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. PT and the probables are LHP Tommy Milone (1-0, 1.17) for Tacoma, against LHP Tommy Henry (2-2, 4.14).
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 home game can be viewed with a MiLB.TV subscription.
Images from this story
 Jarred Kelenic of the Tacoma Rainiers (Jeff Halstead) |
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