PCL1 Tacoma Rainiers

Rainiers Erase Early Five-Run Deficit to Earn First Victory in Sacramento

Published on April 6, 2019 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Tacoma Rainiers News Release


Sacramento, California - The Tacoma Rainiers trailed 5-0 after four innings on Friday night at Raley Field, but a middle-inning rally, capped by first baseman Joey Curletta's solo home run, propelled the Rainiers past the Sacramento River Cats, 6-5, for their first victory of the 2019 campaign.

Curletta, the reigning Texas League Player of the Year with Double-A Arkansas, launched his first Triple-A round-tripper over the right center field fence on the first pitch from Sacramento (1-1) reliever Carlos Navas (0-1) with one out in the seventh. The Tacoma (1-1) first baseman finished the night 2-for-5 and has reached safely five times in the season's first two games.

Sacramento got off to a hot start against Tacoma lefty Tommy Milone with a run in each of the first two frames and a three-run third inning. The southpaw threw four innings, surrendering five runs, all of them earned, on six hits with two walks and four strikeouts.

Tacoma was stymied until the fifth when left fielder Eric Young, Jr. legged out an RBI fielder's choice, bringing home center fielder Braden Bishop. One batter later, second baseman Shed Long's fly ball to left field was dropped by Austin Slater, allowing Young, Jr. to score from first and narrow the deficit to 5-2.

After catcher Austin Nola threw out a base-stealer to end the fifth, the Louisiana native lined a base hit to right center in the sixth against Chase Johnson, scoring J.P. Crawford. An infield hit from Braden Bishop to plate Tim Lopes and a Young, Jr. sacrifice fly to bring home Nola tied the game at 5-5 before Curletta's seventh-inning blast.

Right-hander Ryan Garton (1-0) notched his first victory of the season by dealing 2 2/3 scoreless innings out of the bullpen. Garton was lifted for righty Dan Altavilla in with two outs in the seventh, who went on to strike out right fielder Michael Reed with the bases loaded and preserve the 6-5 advantage.

Ruben Alaniz (S, 1) closed out the contest in masterful fashion, striking out the last five River Cats as part of a hitless six-out save where the right-hander issued just one walk.

As a staff, Tacoma pitchers allowed the five Sacramento runs on eight hits while walking six and striking out 12.

Braden Bishop compiled a standout effort, going 2-for-3 with a double, an RBI and two walks. Bishop has reached safely seven times in his first 11 plate appearances out of the leadoff spot. Ian Miller also chipped in for Tacoma, going 1-for-3 with a double, getting on base once via free pass in the ballgame. Sacramento's offense was led by Stephen Vogt, who went 1-for-4 with a home run and two RBI.

Collectively, Tacoma plated their six runs in the contest off of 10 hits, three of which went for extra bases, including one home run. The Rainiers supplemented their attack by drawing four walks from Sacramento pitchers.

The Rainiers and River Cats resume their series on Saturday night at 7:05 PM PDT.

All tickets, group outings, and suites packages for the 2019 season are available for purchase in person at the Cheney Stadium Box Office, online at TacomaRainiers.com, or over the phone at (253) 752-7707. The most up-to-date news and notes about the Rainiers throughout the season can be found by following the Rainiers on Twitter (@RainiersLand) or liking the team on Facebook.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from April 6, 2019


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