Tacoma Rainiers Game Notes: vs. Round Rock (5:05 PT)
September 24, 2022 – Pacific Coast League (PCL) – Tacoma Rainiers News Release
YOU’VE BEEN WARNER-ED: Since May 19, Rainiers LHP Austin Warner has posted a 3.32 ERA and 1.22 WHIP over 61.1 IP (22 G, 11 GS). Warner has struck out 54 in that span with only 19 walks. In 11 starts this season: 48.0 IP, 47 H, 20 R, 20 ER (3.75), 13 BB, 43 K.
A REAL (MCCOY) GOOD YEAR: With his 20th homer of the season in the first inning on Thursday, shortstop Mason McCoy achieved Tacoma’s first 20/20 season (21 stolen bases) not only during the “Rainiers” era and Seattle affiliation (since 1995), but in Tacoma’s Triple-A history as well (since 1960).
I’M DREW (DA BA DEE): Including his walk-off grand slam on Wednesday and another homer last night, Rainiers infielder Drew Ellis is batting .448 (13-for-29) over his last seven games with five home runs (10 RBI, 8 R, 2 BB, SB). Ellis is OPSing 1.484 (1.000 SLG) over his last 31 plate appearances, hitting safely in all seven games.
SEA US RISE: With the selection of catcher Luis Torrens back to the Major League roster on Wednesday, 28 players have been promoted from Tacoma to Seattle this season. In 2021, that number was 24, beginning with RHP J.T. Chargois and ending with INF Kevin Padlo. RHP Matt Koch was this season’s first MLB promotion from the Rainiers, selected on April 13.
A ROUND-A-BOUT WIN: The Rainiers have had their way with the Round Rock Express since their entry into the Pacific Coast League in 2005, the club moving back and forth in affiliation between Mariners American League West rivals Texas and Houston (club name is a homage to former Rangers and Astros Hall-of-Fame hurler Nolan Ryan, “The Ryan Express”). While Tacoma is 49-28 against Round Rock all-time, the Rainiers have won 19 of their last 25 games against the Express at Cheney Stadium, dating to 2012, and are 29-8 all-time against Round Rock at home (5-2 this season).
LOCALIZE IT: Round Rock has a local on their club, infielder Nick Tanielu, a Federal Way native and alum of the Washington State baseball program. Tanielu, in his first season in the Texas Rangers organization, had previously played against the Rainiers with Fresno (HOU, 2018) and El Paso (SD, 2021), and first played for Round Rock as an Astros affiliate in 2019. He was Houston’s 14th round draft pick in 2014 (406th overall) out of Wazzu.
It’s been a banner year for local products from Pierce County/southern King County visiting Tacoma; Las Vegas/Oakland INF Nate Mondou (Tacoma-born/Lake Tapps native), Albuquerque/Colorado 1B Michael Toglia (Gig Harbor) and Salt Lake/LAA RHP Janson Junk (Federal Way) have all opposed the Rainiers at Cheney in 2022.
WALK-OFF WONDERS: Wednesday night was Tacoma’s ninth win in their last at-bat at Cheney Stadium this season, accounting for 26.5% of the Rainiers’ 34 wins at home. Tacoma has hit three walk-off homers in 2022, the last two being grand slams to defeat Round Rock (Drew Ellis on 9/21, 7-6, Alex Blandino on 6/10, 6-4)
STEALY MAN: The Rainiers lead Triple-A (by 12) with 197 stolen bases. At 47 steals, Tacoma outfielder Forrest Wall ranks second overall in Triple-A, and has the most for Tacoma in a season during the Seattle Mariners affiliation era (since 1995). Wall’s previous career-high was 38 SB in 2018. Only Jimmy Sexton (56 SB, 1981 Tacoma Tigers, Oakland A’s affiliate) has more steals in a single season in franchise history.
LEAD-R-BOARD: Upon his latest recall to Seattle on September 21, outfielder Jarred Kelenic ranked sixth or better in the PCL in average (.295), slugging (.557) and OPS (.922). His 32 doubles are currently tied for second in the league, his 53 extra-base hits tied for seventh despite not joining the Rainiers until mid-May (86 GP). An objectively incredible 51% of Kelenic’s 104 hits with Tacoma this season went for extra bases (18 HR, 3 triples).
With five punchouts on Tuesday during a quality start (7.0 IP, ER), Rainiers RHP Darren McCaughan took over the league lead in strikeouts, with 137. He currently leads the PCL in both games started (27, tied) and innings pitched (148.1). His 1.16 WHIP is second-lowest among qualified pitchers in the notoriously offensive Pacific Coast League.
Rainiers relievers Nick Ramirez and Patrick Weigel are tied for the fifth-most appearances in the league, with 52 apiece. Ramirez leads the PCL with 15 saves (by two), in 18 opportunities.
UNI WATCH: The 2022 Tacoma Rainiers have the following win-loss record by uniform top: White (22-18), red (22-27), navy blue (9-8), road grey (10-8), “Familia de Tacoma” (7-6, Copa de la Diversion), specialty auction (1-7).
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