Tacoma Rainiers Game Notes: vs. Salt Lake (6:05 p.m. PT)
June 29, 2022 - Pacific Coast League (PCL)
Tacoma Rainiers News Release
Tacoma Rainiers (28-44) vs. Salt Lake Bees (35-38)
Wednesday, June 29, 2022, 6:05 p.m. PT | Cheney Stadium: Tacoma, WA
LHP Justus Sheffield vs. LHP Reid Detmers
#SeaUsRise: The selection of outfielder Marcus Wilson to the Major League roster on Wednesday made him the 20th player to be promoted from Tacoma to Seattle this season, as he's poised to make his MLB debut. Two promotions earlier this season were big league debuts as well (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).
SPEED CLOCKED AT 100: Entering today's action Tacoma is one of only four Triple-A clubs with 100 combined triples and stolen bases (111, 15/96): Only Reno (112, 22/90) has more, joining Buffalo (108, 8/100) and Indianapolis (107, 25/82) over the century mark. While Buffalo is the only club with more stolen bases than the Rainiers (100 to 96) entering today, their need for speed is especially necessary, as the Bisons have hit only 42 home runs, the fewest in Triple-A by 23. Meanwhile Tacoma has 100 homers, fifth-most at the level (Brian O'Keefe hit #100 last night).
HE'S AN O'K PLAYER: Tacoma catcher/DH Brian O'Keefe has reached base with either a walk or base hit in 31 of the 36 games he's played this season, after returning from a broken hamate bone on 4/27 at Las Vegas. O'Keefe is batting .284 with an .898 OPS (.368/.530), with six home runs, 19 extra-base hits and 17 walks since returning to action. He's driving in a run once every two games (18 RBI/36 GP). 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 to Tacoma 7/11/21 (AAA debut).
RUN OF SAM: Prior to being recalled by Seattle today, Rainiers super-utility starter Sam Haggerty had reached base in 21 consecutive Triple-A games, 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 .384 in his last 21 games for the Rainiers, as he's drawn 15 walks and has been hit by two pitches in that span. He's doubled nine times, tripled twice and has hit two homers for an .872 OPS in his last 99 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 MLB time.
MEJIA MASH: Tacoma INF/OF Erick Mejia is 11 for his last 20 (.550) during a five-game hitting streak, with six extra-base hits (HR, 5 doubles). Mejia is OPSing 1.541 during the streak (dating to June 22), as he's reaching base at a .591 clip in this span (2 BB) and slugging .950 over his last 22 plate appearances. He had hit in five consecutive games once before this season, from April 20-26.
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 (369-359-1, 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 196-215 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 (43). In the Major Leagues, Seattle's 27 errors are equal to San Diego for fewest.
REAL (MCCOY) BUSY JUNE: Rainiers infielder Mason McCoy is the only player on the club to appear in each of Tacoma's 24 games in June. McCoy has reached base safely in 20 of 24 games this month, with a .371 OBP (3 HR, triple, 3 doubles, 12 BB, 15 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.
Pacific Coast League Stories from June 29, 2022
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- JP France Strikes out Season-High 10 Batters in Albuquerque - Sugar Land Space Cowboys
- Heaping Helping of Homers Leads Round Rock Past Las Vegas 10-1 - Round Rock Express
- Henry Spins Seven Scoreless, Garrett Plates Four in Reno's 5-3 Win over Sacramento - Reno Aces
- Calhoun homers late, Díaz reaches base 4 times as River Cats fall to Aces - Sacramento River Cats
- Tacoma Rainiers Game Notes: vs. Salt Lake (6:05 p.m. PT) - Tacoma Rainiers
- Space Cowboys Game Notes at ABQ - Sugar Land Space Cowboys
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- Aces Rally Late, Fall Short in 9-7 Loss to River Cats - Reno Aces
- Salt Lake Buzzes by Tacoma on Tuesday - Tacoma Rainiers
- Jose Siri Delivers Big Offensive Night in Return with Sugar Land - Sugar Land Space Cowboys
- Big Fifth Inning Gives Salt Lake Win over Tacoma - Salt Lake Bees
- OKC Dodgers Win Over El Paso - Oklahoma City Comets
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