Tacoma Rainiers Game Notes: vs. Salt Lake (7:05 p.m. PT)
July 2, 2022 - Pacific Coast League (PCL)
Tacoma Rainiers News Release
Tacoma Rainiers (30-45) vs. Salt Lake Bees (36-40)
Saturday, July 2, 2022, 7:05 p.m. PT | Cheney Stadium: Tacoma, WA
RHP Darren McCaughan vs. RHP Cesar Valdez
BING BONG BLANDINO: Rainiers infielder Alex Blandino has reached base safely in 12 consecutive games and 18 of his last 19, dating to June 7. He's drawn 20 walks in that span, for an OBP of .469 and is batting .288 in this stretch with a 1.011 OPS and 11 runs scored (14 RBI). Through four games of this six-game series vs. Salt Lake, Blandino has walked six times.
MEJIA MASH: Tacoma INF/OF Erick Mejia is 13-for-34 (.382) during his last eight games (2 HR, 5 doubles). Mejia is OPSing 1.127 during this span (dating to June 22), as he's reaching base at a .421 clip since 6/22 (3 BB) and slugging .706 over his last 38 plate appearances.
#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; he made his MLB debut Wednesday at T-Mobile Park against Baltimore, drawing a walk as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning, and playing right field in the ninth (one putout). Two promotions earlier this season were also big league debuts (RHP Penn Murfee and 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). Wilson's MLB debut came in his ninth pro season, following 660 minor league games with three organizations (Arizona, Boston, Seattle).
SPEED CLOCKED AT 100: Entering today's action Tacoma is one of only seven Triple-A clubs with 100 combined triples and stolen bases (113, 15/98): Only Reno (117, 23/94) has more, joining Buffalo (109, 8/101), Indianapolis (107, 25/82), Salt Lake (107, 20/87), Sugar Land (104, 18/86) and Rochester (100, 19/81) over the century mark. While Buffalo is the only club with more stolen bases than the Rainiers (101 to 98) entering today, their need for speed is especially necessary, as the Bisons have hit only 43 home runs, the fewest in Triple-A by 24. Tacoma has 104 homers, which is tied for fifth at the level.
I'M TREY AMBURGEY?: OF Trey Amburgey made his Tacoma debut Wednesday, acquired from the Cincinnati Reds and Triple-A Louisville last weekend. While with the New York Yankees, Amburgey reached base in 42 straight games for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, setting their franchise record (8/26/19 through 7/10/21).
#DarrenDay: Tonight's Tacoma starting pitcher Darren McCaughan posted a winning decision in four consecutive starts from May 24 through June 15, the first Tacoma pitcher to do so this season, and has allowed two or fewer ER in six straight starts. McCaughan is currently third in the PCL with 76.0 innings pitched, and is striking out just shy of a batter per inning with 74 K, which is tied for sixth in the league. His 1.20 WHIP ranks fourth in the PCL.
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 (371-360-1, 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 198-216 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 371 wins over Salt Lake (City) are second only to their 383 since 1960 against teams from Portland (383-352).
HE'S AN O'K PLAYER: Homering Thursday night (2-for-4), Tacoma catcher/designated hitter Brian O'Keefe has reached base with either a walk or base hit in 33 of the 38 games he's played this season, after returning from a broken hamate bone on 4/27 at Las Vegas. O'Keefe is batting .287 with a .904 OPS (.366/.538), with seven home runs, 20 extra-base hits and 17 walks since returning to action. He's driving in a run once every two games (19 RBI/38 GP).
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. It was a streak of 72 consecutive complete innings without a defensive miscue, spanning nine games. Tacoma's 46 errors as a club are second-fewest in the PCL behind Reno (44). In the Major Leagues, Seattle's 28 errors equal San Diego for fewest entering today.
Pacific Coast League Stories from July 2, 2022
- Tonight's Chihuahuas Game against Oklahoma City Dodgers Suspended - El Paso Chihuahuas
- Saturday's Game in El Paso Suspended - Oklahoma City Comets
- Corey Julks Hits Career High in Homers with Space Cowboys - Sugar Land Space Cowboys
- Tacoma Rainiers Game Notes: vs. Salt Lake (7:05 p.m. PT) - Tacoma Rainiers
- OKC Dodgers Game Notes - July 2, 2022 - Oklahoma City Comets
- Bees Sneak Past Rainiers, 4-3 on Friday - Tacoma Rainiers
- Salt Lake Takes Game 4 over Tacoma - Salt Lake Bees
- Difo Slugs First Homer as Reno Falls to Sacramento, 7-4 - Reno Aces
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