PCL1 Tacoma Rainiers

Rainiers Top Grizzlies, 7-6, In Extras

Published on May 11, 2016 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Tacoma Rainiers News Release


FRESNO, Calif. - The Tacoma Rainiers (19-13) notched a 7-6 extra-innings victory in their series opener against the Fresno Grizzlies (13-18) on Tuesday night at Chukchansi Park.

Left fielder Dario Pizzano led the Tacoma offense, finishing the night 3-for-3 with two runs scored, one RBI, and one walk. Center fielder Boog Powell, hitting leadoff, notched just one hit but scored once and drove in three RBI. First baseman Efren Navarro (2x5), third baseman Ed Lucas (2x4), and second baseman Tyler Smith (2x4) all added multi-hit efforts.

Starting pitcher Cody Martin worked 6.0 innings for the Rainiers, allowing three runs on six hits with two walks and a season-high nine strikeouts.

The Rainiers grabbed a 3-0 lead with a run in the third and two runs in the fourth. Navarro notched an RBI single to give the Rainiers their first run of the game, while an RBI single from Pizzano and a run-scoring groundout from Powell extended the lead.

Grizzlies catcher Tyler Heineman notched his first home run of the season, a solo shot in the bottom of the fifth, the get Fresno on the scoreboard and cut Tacoma's lead to 3-1.

Powell doubled to open the Rainiers half of the seventh, moved to third on a sacrifice bunt, and scored on an RBI single from Navarro to push the lead to 4-1.

Fresno pushed across four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning, highlighted by a two-run home run from Nolan Fontana, to take their first lead of the game at 5-4.

The Rainiers grabbed the lead back in the top of the eighth inning. Pizzano on third and Smith on second base, a wild pitch from Fresno's James Hoyt scored Pizzano for the tying run. Powell followed with a hit to Grizzlies first baseman Jon Singleton, who threw home but could not get out Smith who slid into home for the go-ahead run at 6-5.

Andrew Aplin popped up to open the bottom of the ninth, but a drop on the catch by Navarro put Aplin on second base. He moved to third on a fly out to left field and came in to tie the game at 6-6 on a single from Fontana, sending the game to extras.

The Rainiers only needed one extra frame to grab their 19th win of the season. Lucas was hit by a pitch from Jandel Gustave with one out, advanced to third on a single from Robertson, and was brought in for the winning-run on a sacrifice fly from Powell.

Blake Parker worked a perfect tenth inning to earn his team-leading sixth save of the year.

Left-hander James Paxton (4-2, 2.93) will take the mound for Tacoma as they continue their series with Fresno tomorrow, Wednesday, May 11. The Grizzlies are expected to turn to right-hander Mike Hauschild (2-3, 4.55). First pitch is scheduled for 12:05 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 May 11, 2016


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