Rainiers Even Series In Convincing Fashion

Published on July 5, 2008 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Portland Beavers News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - Matt Tuiasosopo doubled, drew three walks and tallied three RBIs, and Shawn Garrett hit his fourth home run and drove in three runs as the Tacoma Rainiers handled the Portland Beavers 13-5 before 4,991 Saturday afternoon at PGE Park.

Rob Johnson and Tug Hulett each had three hits, and Wladimir Balentien and Prentice Redman drove in two runs apiece to help the cause for the Rainiers (45-44), who snapped a four-game skid. Tacoma collected 10 extra-base hits, including a season-high eight doubles, and evened the series at a game apiece with the victory.

Portland-native and former Oregon State product Andy Baldwin (6-4) picked up the win, spreading three runs, six hits and five walks over six innings while striking out three.

Will Venable, who has hit safely in 25 of his last 29 games, launched a two-run homer into the balcony of the adjacent Multnomah Athletic Club in the ninth and was 3-for-4 with two doubles, a walk and three runs scored; Shawn Wooten added two RBIs for the Beavers (45-42), who had a three-game winning streak come to an end.

Balentien hit a two-out, two-run double and Garrett followed with a two-run homer as the Rainiers got out to a 4-0 lead in the first. The Rainiers tacked on two more in the second for a six-run lead and eventually extended the advantage to 13-3 when Tuiasosopo doubled home two runs and scored in the sixth and Tacoma got a solo home run from Johnson and an RBI double from Victor Diaz in the seventh.

Tuiasosopo, Hulett and Luis Valbuena scored three run apiece for the Rainiers.

Portland's Justin Germano (2-5) fanned five but suffered his third straight loss by yielding eight runs (7 earned) and eight hits over four innings.

The Beavers and Rainiers wrap up their three-game series Sunday afternoon at PGE Park, with a first pitch of 2:05 p.m.

Beavers Game File

SATURDAY'S GAME: Tacoma 13, Beavers 5

WINNING PITCHER: Baldwin (6-4)

LOSING PITCHER: Germano (2-5)

SAVE: None

HOME RUNS: Venable (7), Garrett (4), Johnson (5)

SUNDAY'S GAME: Tacoma (Chris Jakubauskas: 4-1, 3.00) at Portland (Clay Hensley: 1-1, 3.25), 2:05 p.m.; live audio broadcast on KKAD AM-1550 and www.portlandbeavers.com.

SUNDAY'S PROMOTION: Portland wraps up a three-game set against the Rainiers at PGE Park on an American Family Insurance Kids Sunday presented by K-HITS 106.7. Prior to the first pitch, kids have the opportunity to get player autographs on the Fred Meyer Family Deck, and after the game, kids are invited to run the bases at PGE Park, presented by Family Fun Center & Bullwinkle's Restaurant.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from July 5, 2008


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