Tacoma Drops Series Finale Despite Big 1st Inning & McCaughan Quality Start
August 4, 2021 - Pacific Coast League (PCL)
Tacoma Rainiers News Release
Las Vegas, NV - A 10-batter first inning barrage catapulted the visiting Tacoma Rainiers (43-35) to a 5-0 lead that didn't hold on Tuesday evening at Las Vegas Ballpark. The homestanding Las Vegas Aviators (39-39) rallied from two separate five-run deficits, with seven runs in innings six through eight for an 8-6 victory.
For the fourth time in six games, the Rainiers scored multiple runs in the top of the first. Taylor Trammell worked a two-out walk, followed by a Brian O'Keefe single to left field. Jose Marmolejos, who is 10 for his last 17, poked an RBI single to right field, and Sam Travis ripped his second RBI double (CF) in as many nights, for a 3-0 Tacoma advantage as Marmolejos and O'Keefe scored. Travis made it 4-0 a batter later when Jose Godoy drove in a run to center as well. A Jack Reinheimer liner to centerfield scored Godoy, as Tacoma batted around in the first, a five-run rally which began with two out and nobody on base.
Marmolejos, Travis and Reinheimer each ended the night with multiple hits.
Las Vegas first got on the scoreboard with a Francisco Pena RBI single in the second inning; Seth Brown scored easily following his leadoff triple. It was 6-1 Tacoma after the visiting sixth, when Marmolejos (leadoff single) and Reinheimer (run-scoring single) notched their respective second run scored and second RBI of the night. Tacoma native Nate Mondou muscled a one-out solo shot to right-center during the home side of the inning, pulling the Aviators within four runs as second time.
Darren McCaughan (ND), pitching for the Rainiers for the first time since making his MLB debut with the Mariners (2 G, 1 GS, 9.0 IP), worked a quality start over six innings. Both runs were earned, but he did not walk a batter while scattering five hits. The right-hander struck out four.
Pena made the score 6-4 in the seventh inning with a two-run homer, and it was a one-run game in the eighth after a Carlos Perez bases-loaded sac fly. Pena (3-for-4, 6 RBI) launched his second homer of the night later in the eighth, a three-run shot to complete the comeback.
Tacoma is off on Wednesday, and will open a new series on Thursday at Reno. RHP Ryan Weber is scheduled to make his second start for the Rainiers.
Rainiers broadcaster Mike Curto will have full coverage on TacomaRainiers.com. All 2021 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 an MiLB.TV subscription. (Use code: RAINIERS to save $10 on an annual subscription.
Pacific Coast League Stories from August 4, 2021
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- Taylor Motter Named Triple-A West Player of the Month - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Francisco Peña Homers Twice, Aviators Rally for Wild 8-6 Victory vs. Tacoma - Las Vegas Aviators
- Tacoma Drops Series Finale Despite Big 1st Inning & McCaughan Quality Start - Tacoma Rainiers
- McCarthy's clutch late hit earns River Cats series split - Sacramento River Cats
- Vargas Records 100th Double with Reno in 6-5 Loss - Reno Aces
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