Tacoma Rainiers Game Notes: vs. Salt Lake (6:05 p.m. PT)
June 28, 2022 - Pacific Coast League (PCL)
Tacoma Rainiers News Release
Tacoma Rainiers (28-43) vs. Salt Lake Bees (34-38)
Tuesday, June 28, 2022, 6:05 p.m. PT | Cheney Stadium: Tacoma, WA
RHP Konner Wade vs. LHP Jake Kalish
RUN OF SAM: Rainiers super-utility starter Sam Haggerty has reached base in 20 consecutive Triple-A games entering tonight's action, dating to May 3. Haggerty's streak was interrupted with a nearly month-long Major League call-up (selected by Seattle on 5/22, optioned to Tacoma on 6/17). Haggerty's OBP is .383 in his last 20 games for the Rainiers, as he's drawn 14 walks and has been hit by two pitches in that span. He's doubled eight times, tripled twice and has hit two homers for an .870 OPS in his last 94 Triple-A plate appearances. Haggerty has stolen eight bases in that span, caught only once, and ranks eighth in the PCL with 15 swipes despite his extended big league time.
SPEED CLOCKED AT 100: Entering this week's action (Monday is a universal Triple-A off day, except for July 4), Tacoma was one of only four clubs at the highest level of Minor League Baseball with 100 combined triples and stolen bases (111, 15/96): Only Reno (112, 22/90) had more, joining Buffalo (108, 8/100) and Indianapolis (105, 25/80) over the century mark. While Buffalo was the only club with more stolen bases than the Rainiers (100 to 96) entering this week, their need for speed is especially necessary, as the Bisons have hit only 42 home runs, the fewest in Triple-A by 21. Meanwhile Tacoma has 99 homers, fifth-most at the level.
#SeaUsRise: The selection of catcher Andrew Knapp to the Major League roster on Monday made him the 19th player to be promoted from Tacoma to Seattle this season. Two promotions were MLB debuts (RHP Penn Murfee, LHP Danny Young). Last season, 24 players earned an in-season promotion from the Rainiers to Mariners, with six big league debuts (RHP Logan Gilbert, OF Jarred Kelenic, C Jose Godoy, OF Dillon Thomas, RHP Vinny Nittoli and RHP Darren McCaughan).
HE'S AN O'K PLAYER: Tacoma catcher/DH Brian O'Keefe has reached base with either a walk or base hit in 30 of the 35 games he's played this season, after returning from a broken hamate bone on 4/27 at Las Vegas. O'Keefe is batting .285 with an .887 OPS (.372/.515), with five home runs, 18 extra-base hits and 17 walks since returning to action. This is O'Keefe's third year with the Mariners organization, a Rule 5 draft pick (minor league phase) by Seattle from the St. Louis Cardinals following the 2019 season. He was promoted from Double-A Arkansas to Tacoma on July 11, 2021 (AAA debut).
OMAHA!: With the College World Series ending over the weekend, it's the 10th anniversary of the University of Arizona's Baseball National Championship, and tonight's Rainiers starting pitcher Konner Wade and Tacoma first base/bench coach Seth Mejias-Brean (INF) were teammates on that 2012 squad. Those Wildcats went 48-17 and swept the University of South Carolina in the College World Series Final by scores of 5-1 and 4-1 (best-of-three).
A WINNING BUZZ: Salt Lake (City) is one of three current PCL member locales that the Tacoma franchise (est. 1960) has an all-time winning record against (369-358-1, since 1960); the others are Las Vegas (287-283, since 1983) and Round Rock (46-27, since 2005). During the Rainiers era/Seattle affiliation (since 1995), Tacoma is 196-214 against the Salt Lake Buzz ('94-'00), Stingers ('01-'05) and Bees ('06-pres.), who were affiliated with the Minnesota Twins ('94-'00) prior to partnering with the Anaheim/Los Angeles Angels (of Anaheim) in 2001. Tacoma's 369 wins over Salt Lake (City) are second only to their 383 since 1960 against teams from Portland (383-352).
DEFEND R HOUSE: During the most recent Rainiers homestand, Tacoma lasted seven complete games without committing an error; from the second inning at home on June 10 vs. Round Rock until the fifth inning on June 19 vs. Sacramento, a streak of 72 consecutive complete innings without a defensive miscue, spanning nine games. Tacoma's 44 errors as a club are second-fewest in the PCL behind Reno (42). In the Major Leagues, Seattle's 26 errors are fewest (SDP- 27, NYY- 28).
REAL (MCCOY) BUSY JUNE: Rainiers infielder Mason McCoy is the only player on the club to appear in each of Tacoma's 23 games in June. McCoy has reached base safely in 19 of 23 games this month, with a .366 OBP (3 HR, triple, 3 doubles, 11 BB, 14 runs scored). McCoy was acquired by the Seattle Mariners shortly after the beginning of this season, traded by the Baltimore Orioles for cash considerations on April 7. He made his Triple-A debut last season, appearing in 112 games for Norfolk.
UNI WATCH: The 2022 Tacoma Rainiers have the following win-loss record by uniform top: Home white (7-9), red (12-20), navy blue (2-3), road grey (5-5), "La Familia de Tacoma" (2-2, Copa de la Diversion), specialty auction (0-4).
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