Taylor's Seventh-Inning Home Run Lifts Tacoma to 3-1 Victory
Published on April 3, 2026 under Pacific Coast League (PCL)
Tacoma Rainiers News Release
TACOMA, WA - The Tacoma Rainiers (3-2) toppled the El Paso Chihuahuas (2-3) by a 3-1 decision in a pitcher's duel on Thursday night for their first win at Cheney Stadium in 2026. Carson Taylor's three-run blast in the bottom of the seventh inning gave Tacoma their only runs of the contest. Gabriel Mosser turned in the first quality start by a Rainier this season, tossing 6.0 innings of one-run ball, allowing five hits and two walks while striking out three.
Starting pitching and defense dominated the early innings, keeping the both offenses scoreless through four. Gabriel Mosser and Matt Waldron combined to allow only six baserunners on five hits and a walk, while striking out eight.
The Chihuahuas threatened in the top of the third inning after a two-out double from Jase Bowen, but Rhylan Thomas laid out to rob Nick Schnell of a potential RBI single, keeping El Paso off the scoreboard.
El Paso broke the deadlock in the top of the sixth inning. Nick Schnell worked a leadoff walk and two batters later, Marcos Castañon moved him up to second with a soft single into shallow center field. After a pop out in foul territory for the second out, Carlos Rodríguez pulled a single into right field. Schnell hustled home from second for the first run of the ballgame, giving El Paso a 1-0 lead.
Tacoma responded an inning later in the bottom of the seventh. Colt Emerson reached first base on a dropped third strike and Connor Joe pushed him into scoring position with a single that ricocheted off the glove of a leaping Mason McCoy. Two batters later, Carson Taylor (1) crushed a go-ahead, three-run home run 335 feet over the right field wall, giving the Rainiers a 3-1 lead. The long ball left the bat at 94.1 mph and marked Taylor's first hit of the season.
Leading by two, Tacoma called on Alex Hoppe to shut the door on El Paso. The Iowa native set down the Chihuahuas in order, giving Tacoma their first win at Cheney Stadium in 2026.
Tacoma looks to take the series lead Friday night. LHP Jhonathan Díaz will take the ball for the Rainiers and LHP Marco Gonzales will counter for El Paso. First pitch set for 7:05 pm.
POSTGAME NOTES:
Gabe Mosser recorded the first quality start by a Rainier in 2026 Thursday night in his first start of the season...the right-hander spun 6.0 innings of one-run ball, allowing five hits and two walks while striking two three...Thursday's game marks the first time Mosser has allowed one-or-fewer runs over 6.0 IP since August 8, 2025 at Durham with Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
Carson Taylor smoked a three-run home run to give Tacoma the lead in the bottom of the seventh...the Virginia Tech product finished 1-for-3, with a home run, three RBI, and a run...it's the second time in his career that he's hit a go-ahead home run in the seventh inning or later (also: April 9, 2024 vs. Portland)
Colt Emerson, Connor Joe, and Rhylan Thomas all extended their on-base streaks to five games Thursday night...the trio are tied for the second-longest on-base streaks in the Pacific Coast League.
Tacoma's bullpen shut down El Paso's offense for the second-straight night, combining for 3.0 hitless innings, only allowing one walk while striking out four...this is the first time Rainier relievers have held an opponent scoreless in back-to-back games this season and first time since September 12-13, 2025 against Salt Lake.
Pacific Coast League Stories from April 3, 2026
- El Paso's Jase Bowen Completes the Cycle in Chihuahuas' Victory over Rainiers - El Paso Chihuahuas
- Wisdom Hits Fifth Home Run as Tacoma Falls, 10-5 - Tacoma Rainiers
- Bowen Hits for the Cycle Friday in Tacoma - El Paso Chihuahuas
- Comets Soar in Vegas - Oklahoma City Comets
- Madrigal Knocks in Three, Bees Earn 6-5 Victory - Salt Lake Bees
- Six Pitchers Combine to One-Hit Jumbo Shrimp in 5-0 Win - Sugar Land Space Cowboys
- Reno Dominates Albuquerque for Second Shutout of Series - Reno Aces
- Aces Blank Isotopes, 8-0 - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Express Fall to Stripers, 8-1 - Round Rock Express
- Tacoma Rainiers Game Notes - vs. El Paso - Tacoma Rainiers
- 2026 High School Baseball Series Set to Showcase Utah's Top Talent - Salt Lake Bees
- OKC Comet Game Notes - April 3, 2026 - Oklahoma City Comets
- Chihuahuas Open Home Slate with Six Games Packed with Promotions - El Paso Chihuahuas
- Taylor's Seventh-Inning Home Run Lifts Tacoma to 3-1 Victory - Tacoma Rainiers
- Comets Downed by Walk-Off Shot at Las Vegas - Oklahoma City Comets
- Despite Great Pitching, Chihuahuas Fall to Tacoma - El Paso Chihuahuas
- Space Cowboys Rally Past Jumbo Shrimp, Stay Perfect in Series - Sugar Land Space Cowboys
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