PCL1 Tacoma Rainiers

Zunino Lifts Rainiers Past Sky Sox, 6-5

Published on May 31, 2013 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Tacoma Rainiers News Release


COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Mike Zunino hit two home runs, including a go-ahead blast in the ninth inning, as the Tacoma Rainiers topped the Colorado Springs Sky Sox 6-5 at Security Service Field on Friday.

Zunino broke open a 5-5 tie with a two-out solo shot in the top of the ninth that ultimately put Tacoma on top for good. He and infielder Brad Miller earlier erased a 5-3 deficit after each hit one-run homers on consecutive pitches to lead off the sixth.

The two-homer outing was the first recorded by a Rainiers player this season and it extended Zunino's hitting streak to a season-high six games. The catcher is now batting .360 (9x25) since May 24, with four home runs and six RBI. He leads the team with 11 home runs and 41 RBI through 40 games played this season.

The victory earned Tacoma a series win and stretched the Rainiers lead over Colorado Springs for first place in the Pacific Coast League Pacific Northern Division standing to 1.5 games.

As a team, the Rainiers combined to collect 13 hits in their finale at the Sky Sox. Stefen Romero went 3-for-4 with three RBI - his second three-hit effort over his last three games. Franklin Gutierrez went 2-for-4 to turn in his fifth consecutive multi-hit outing, and Dustin Ackley has now collected nine hits over his last three games after going 2-for-4 with a double and single.

Reliever Brian Moran (2-2) allowed just one hit and struck out five over 2.1 innings and collected his second win this season. Right-hander Logan Bawcom picked up his team-leading ninth save of the season after twirling a shutout inning in the ninth.

Starter Blake Beavan surrendered five runs on nine hits over 5.2 innings and walked two with one strikeout in his sixth start for Tacoma this season.

The Rainiers (34-22) return to Tacoma at 7 p.m. tomorrow, June 1 to begin an eight-game homestand that opens with a four-game series against the Sacramento River Cats. Left-hander James Paxton (2-4, 5.01) is scheduled to start for Tacoma in the opener against River Cats left-hander Andrew Werner (4-7, 5.82).

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 May 31, 2013


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