PCL Tacoma Rainiers

Moran Madness Drives Tacoma In Saturday Victory

Published on June 17, 2023 under Pacific Coast League (PCL)
Tacoma Rainiers News Release


Tacoma Rainiers' Colin Moran on game night
Tacoma Rainiers' Colin Moran on game night
(Tacoma Rainiers, Credit: Jeff Halstead)

Tacoma, WA - The Tacoma Rainiers (34-34) cruised through game five in a 8-5 victory over the Albuquerque Isotopes (26-42) on Saturday night at Cheney Stadium. Tacoma holds a 2023 season-series lead (6-5) over the Isotopes heading into their final game of the year on Sunday.

After ending Friday night's 10-inning game with a walk-off single, Taylor Trammell launched a ball 105 mph into center field (392 feet) for his fifth homer of the season to take an early 1-0 lead against the Isotopes in the home first.

An inning later, Colin Moran barreled a sinker to left field for a two-run round tripper, scoring Zach DeLoach, who reached on an error by Albuquerque's third baseman. With former Rainier Phillip Valdez (2022) on the mound in relief for the 'Topes, Tacoma added a fourth run in the third inning on a Cade Marlowe triple that drove in Sam Haggerty (single).

LHP Tommy Milone made his ninth start of the season on Saturday, pitching four scoreless innings with four punchouts. In seven career starts against Albuquerque, Milone has struck out 31 batters over 37.2 innings. RHP Ryder Ryan (W, 3-2) entered from the bullpen in the fifth inning, allowing the 'Topes to get on the board with an RBI groundout, making the score 4-1.

The sixth inning re-sparked production for the Rainiers, who added two runs off three hits. Cooper Hummel's two-out 109 mph double drove in DeLoach (single) with Moran (single) returning the favor to extend Tacoma's lead 6-1. DeLoach improved his on-base streak to 31 straight games (since 5/11), recording a hit in 27 of his last 30 games. DeLoach's 70 hits ranks top 10 in the Pacific Coast League.

Right-hander Nolan Blackwood (1.0 IP, 2 K) turned the ball over to Juan Then for the eighth inning. Then recorded two outs before Michael Toglia (grand slam) threatened Tacoma's 6-1 lead with one visiting opportunity left.

Moran (single) and Mason McCoy (sacrifice fly) fueled the fire in the bottom of the eighth, giving the Rainiers an 8-5 insurance lead. RHP Riley O'Brien (1.0 IP, 2 K) got the nod for the save opportunity, which he completed for his fourth of the season after striking out two of the four batters faced.

The Rainiers and 'Topes will face off for the 12th and final time during the 2023 season at Cheney Stadium on Sunday. With first pitch scheduled for 1:35 p.m. PT, LHP Kyle Hart will take the mound for Tacoma against Albuquerque RHP Luis Cessa.

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.

Check out the Tacoma Rainiers Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Images from this story

Tacoma Rainiers' Colin Moran on game night
Tacoma Rainiers' Colin Moran on game night
(Jeff Halstead)		   



Pacific Coast League Stories from June 17, 2023


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central