Rainiers Secure Series Win on Sunday in Front of 7,162 Fans
July 4, 2022 - Pacific Coast League (PCL)
Tacoma Rainiers News Release
Tacoma, WA - The Tacoma Rainiers (32-45) defeated the Salt Lake Bees (36-42) on Sunday by a 3-2 final, hanging on in the ninth inning for a 4-2 series victory over Salt Lake. Cheney Stadium was packed on Sunday evening, as 7,162 Rainiers fans gathered for the game and the Independence Day fireworks celebration that followed.
RHP Konner Wade got the start for Tacoma and held the Bees scoreless in his three innings of work (1 H, 1 K). It was the second time Wade has kept Salt Lake off the scoreboard in a short start this season (3.0 IP, May 5 on the road).
Tacoma got to Bees LHP Kenny Rosenberg in the fourth. After an Erick Mejia single, Scott Heineman hit a line drive over the head of shortstop Jake Palomaki. Salt Lake left fielder Jo Adell misplayed the ball, allowing it to roll all the way to the wall, which allowed Mejia enough time to race around the bases and score from first. Two batters later, Forrest Wall doubled to right, bringing home Heineman and increasing Tacoma's lead to 2-0.
The Bees got a run back in the away fifth. Jo Adell drew a two out, bases loaded walk, pushing Palomaki across to score. It was Adell's third walk of the game at that point (in 3 PA).
Wall tacked on another RBI in the sixth. After Kevin Padlo doubled and stole third, Wall singled to left, making it a 3-1 ballgame on what proved to be the game-winning hit. The steal was Tacoma's fourth of the game, putting them at 103 on the season, good for most at the Triple-A level.
Three runs were all the Rainiers would need as the Tacoma bullpen continued its dominance against the Bees. From the fourth to eighth innings, five Rainiers relievers held Salt Lake hitters to only one run on three hits, while walking three and striking out five.
The Bees made it interesting in the ninth. Magneuris Sierra led off the inning with an infield single off LHP Nick Ramirez, and with two out, Palomaki doubled to left-center, scoring Sierra from first. Kean Wong then walked, setting Salt Lake up with two on and two out, down a run. The next batter, Jose Rojas, slugged a ball to deep right field that looked like trouble. Heineman raced back and caught it up against the wall however, ending the threat and securing a 3-2 Rainiers victory.
The Rainiers play next on Monday at Reno, one of only two Monday games this season for Tacoma. First pitch on the Fourth of July is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. PT, and the probable pitching matchup is LHP Justus Sheffield for Tacoma against LHP Tommy Henry for Reno.
Rainiers broadcaster Mike Curto will have full coverage on TacomaRainiers.com. All 2022 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.
Pacific Coast League Stories from July 4, 2022
- ZACH THREEN: R First Baseman Blasts Three Homers, Provides Real Fireworks in Reno - Tacoma Rainiers
- Aces Outslugged in 11-4 Loss to Rainiers - Reno Aces
- Krizan Continues Hot Hitting, River Cats Fall to Bees in Game - Sacramento River Cats
- OKC Dodgers Postgame Notes: July 4, 2022 - Oklahoma City Comets
- Bees Take Down Cats on Independence Day - Salt Lake Bees
- Forrest Whitley Makes Return to Triple A with Space Cowboys - Sugar Land Space Cowboys
- Pair of Grand Slams Power Chihuahuas over Sugar Land - El Paso Chihuahuas
- Express Claim 5-3 Independence Day Victory over Isotopes - Round Rock Express
- Albuquerque Falls to Round Rock 5-3 on Independence Day - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Tacoma Rainiers Game Notes: at Reno (6:35 p.m. PT) - Tacoma Rainiers
- Tacoma Take Another Close One - Salt Lake Bees
- OKC Dodgers Game Notes - July 4, 2022 - Oklahoma City Comets
- Pereda Homers, Krizan Plates 2 as River Cats Fall to Aces - Sacramento River Cats
- Rainiers Secure Series Win on Sunday in Front of 7,162 Fans - Tacoma Rainiers
- Nelson's Quality Start & Early Offense Propels Aces to 10-6 Win over River Cats - Reno Aces
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