Rainiers’ Third Inning Eruption Fuels 6-1 Win at OKC
September 7, 2022 – Pacific Coast League (PCL) – Tacoma Rainiers News Release
Oklahoma City, OK – The Tacoma Rainiers (62-69) have won four of five and are 2-0 to begin this 12-game road trip, after dispatching the Oklahoma City Dodgers (73-58) by a 6-1 final score on Wednesday afternoon. Tacoma is 5-3 against the PCL East Division leaders this season. For a consecutive game, the clubs played under their “Copa de la Diversion” alternate identities, meaning it was “Familia de Tacoma” visiting “Cielo Azul” (Blue Sky).
Tacoma led 4-0 after a nine-batter third inning. Josh Morgan and Marcus Wilson led off with consecutive doubles to open the scoring, with Wilson later crossing home on a wild pitch. With two out, Kyle Lewis walked, Jarred Kelenic singled and Mason McCoy reached on an error, before Luis Torrens bounced a base hit off the third base bag, scoring Lewis and Kelenic. Both Morgan and Kelenic enjoyed a multi-hit day.
OKC starter Gavin Stone allowed four runs over 4.0 IP, just two of them earned: 6 H, 1 BB, 4 K.
Rainiers RHP Konner Wade escaped a bases loaded, nobody out jam in the second inning with a double play and a fly ball, and cruised for the remainder of the afternoon. Wade worked a quality start with six shutout innings, scattering only five hits and a walk while striking out six.
Oklahoma City broke up the shutout in the seventh, when Jason Martin drew a leadoff walk and stole second base. He scored on a Jacob Amaya double to right field.
Tacoma tacked on two runs for good measure in the ninth. Morgan and Erick Mejia each walked, and each scored on a Forrest Wall hit that involved a rundown and suspect Dodger defensive decisions. No error was charged despite Mejia scoring from first base on the play.
Rainiers relievers Brennan Bernardino and Matt Koch ended the afternoon with a scoreless inning apiece. In winning without a home run, Tacoma’s season-high streak of 15 straight games with a homer was snapped.
The midpoint of this weeklong series will be on Thursday at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, a 5:05 PT/7:05 CT first pitch. LHP Tommy Milone returns to the mound for Tacoma, RHP Jon Duplantier will start for OKC.
Rainiers broadcaster Mike Curto will have full coverage on TacomaRainiers.com. All 2022 Rainiers games, home and away, can also be heard for free on the MiLB First Pitch app. HD video broadcasts of every game can be viewed with a MiLB.TV subscription.
• Discuss this story on the Pacific Coast League message board…
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
