Rainiers Edged by Salt Lake, 4-3
Published on June 18, 2011 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Tacoma Rainiers News Release
Tacoma, WA - The Tacoma Rainiers came up short and suffered a 4-3 series-opening loss to the Salt Lake Bees in front of a sellout crowd of 7,263 at Cheney Stadium on Friday night.
Third baseman Alex Liddi lifted the Rainiers to a 1-0 advantage after belting his team-leading 13th home run of the season with one out in the bottom of the first inning.
The lead would hold until Salt Lake jumped ahead with two runs in the fourth. Third baseman Kevin Melillo led off the inning with a solo home run to tie the game and first baseman Efren Navarro hit an RBI-double with one out in the frame to put the Bees on top.
Outfielder Johan Limonta locked the game at 2-2 with an RBI-single in the fourth before the Bees answered with two more runs over the seventh and eighth innings. Outfielder Chris Pettit and shortstop Gil Velazquez each drove in runs with singles.
Limonta and designated hitter Luis Jimenez were the only two Rainiers to collect multi-hit outings after each turned in 2-for-4 outings. Jimenenz hit a triple in the fourth, his first since the 2006 season, to extend his on-base streak to 20 games dating back to May 26.
Salt Lake starter Bear Bay (4-3) earned the win, holding Tacoma to two runs on nine hits over seven innings with one walk and four strikeouts.
Reliever Dan Cortes (1-2) was dealt the loss for the Rainiers after allowing two runs on four hits over 1.2 innings of work in the seventh and eighth, while walking one and fanning four. Rainiers starter Blake Beavan tossed six innings, allowing two runs on six hits with one walk and five strikeouts.
The Rainiers (32-37) take the field at 7:05 p.m. on Saturday for the second game of their four-game series with the Bees. Left-hander Nate Robertson (1-2, 6.06) is slated to start for the Rainiers against Salt Lake right-hander Eric Junge (3-4, 4.32). The game will be broadcast 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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