PCL1 Tacoma Rainiers

Zunino, Hultzen Rocket Rainiers To 9-1 Win Over Fresno

April 5, 2013 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Tacoma Rainiers News Release


FRESNO, Calif. - Catcher Mike Zunino hit a home run and a triple in his Triple-A debut, and starter Danny Hultzen strung together 6.0 solid innings as the Tacoma Rainiers routed the Fresno Grizzlies 9-1 in the club's season opener on Thursday night.

Zunino stretched a 2-0 Tacoma lead to three runs with a solo home run with two outs in the top of the third inning, marking the 2012 first-round draft pick's first career Triple-A hit. The 22-year-old drove in another run in the sixth, notching a triple with two outs in the inning. He ended the night going 2-for-4 with two RBI and three runs scored.

Opening night starter Hultzen limited the Grizzlies to just one run on three hits, struck out eight and walked two through 6.0 innings of action. Ranked by Baseball America as the Mariners No. 3 prospect entering the season, Hultzen's outing on Thursday night matched his longest with Tacoma in 2012.

The Rainiers lineup combined to collect 16 hits in the season opener. Outfielder Endy Chavez led the club after going 4-for-6 with a double and two runs scored in his Rainiers debut. Alex Liddi, Carlos Peguero, Rich Poythress, Eric Thames and Carlos Triunfel each turned in two-hit efforts, with Liddi contributing a two-run homer that put Tacoma on top 2-0 with one out in the third.

Right-handers Logan Bawcom and Yoervis Medina combined to toss 3.0 perfect innings out of the bullpen. Bawcom struck out one through 2.0 innings of work over the seventh and eighth in his first career Triple-A outing. Medina fanned two over 1.0 inning in the ninth.

The Rainiers return to action and play the second game of the club's four-game set at Fresno at 7:05 p.m. tomorrow, April 5th. Right-hander Andrew Carraway (0-0, -.--) is set to make his season debut in the contest against Grizzlies right-hander Chris Heston (0-0, -.--).

Every Rainiers game throughout the 2013 season can be heard live on South Sound Sports 850-AM and is available for online streaming at www.tacomarainiers.com.

To purchase season tickets, group packages or party decks for the 2013 season, call (253) 752-7707 or email tickets@tacomarainiers.com. Up-to-date news and notes throughout the season can be found at www.tacomarainiers.com and by following the Rainiers on Twitter (@RainiersLand) or liking the team on Facebook.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from April 5, 2013


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