PCL1 Tacoma Rainiers

Rainiers Power Past Bees, Lincecum For 6-1 Win

Published on June 3, 2016 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Tacoma Rainiers News Release


TACOMA, Wash. - The Tacoma Rainiers (32-21) plated three runs in the first two innings off Salt Lake Bees (26-26) starting pitcher Tim Lincecum and ultimately came away with a 6-1 victory on Thursday night at Cheney Stadium.

The appearance by Lincecum marked the first start by a former Cy Young Award winner at Cheney Stadium since Cliff Lee took the mound for the Rainiers on April 25, 2010.

Rainiers right-hander Adrian Sampson (6-3) registered his seventh quality start of the year, working 6.0 one-run innings while holding Salt Lake to just five hits. He walked one, struck out six, and earned the win. Though five starts at home this year, Sampson has gone 3-0 with a 1.13 ERA.

Led by a 2-for-3, two RBI night from right fielder Mike Baxter, the Tacoma offense pounded out seven hits, drew six walks, and plated six runs. Designated hitter Ketel Marte (1x3), catcher Mike Zunino (1x2), and second baseman Tyler Smith (1x4) all contributed one RBI.

The first three Rainiers batters to the plate in the first inning reached base, loading the bases with no outs for Zunino. A balk from Lincecum and a sacrifice fly from Zunino pushed Tacoma out in front with an early 2-0 lead.

Smith added to the Rainiers lead with an RBI single in the bottom of the second inning. Left fielder Daniel Robertson led off the frame with a walk and promptly stole second base before moving to third on a sacrifice bunt from center fielder Boog Powell to put himself in scoring position for Smith.

The Bees lone run came across in the top of the fourth inning. A pair of back-to-back, one out singles put a runner on third for Sherman Johnson, who lifted a sacrifice fly to left field, cutting Tacoma's lead to 3-1.

Tacoma tacked on a trio of insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth inning, highlighted by a two-run home run to right field from Baxter - it was his seventh long ball of the year, and expanded the Rainiers advantage to 5-1. Marte's sacrifice fly to center capped the scoring and created the final margin of 6-1.

Casey Coleman and Andrew Kittredge followed Sampson out of the Rainiers bullpen and held Salt Lake to one hit over 3.0 innings of work. The Tacoma pitching staff has now held the Bees to just 12 runs (11 earned) over seven games this season.

Tacoma right-hander Donn Roach (4-3, 4.98) and Salt Lake lefty Nate Smith (3-2, 4.80) are scheduled to start tomorrow, Friday, June 3 for the series finale. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. PT.

All tickets, group outings and suites packages for the 2016 season are available for purchase in-person at the Cheney Stadium Box Office, online at www.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 June 3, 2016


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