September 17 Game Notes: Tacoma Rainiers vs. Round Rock Express
TACOMA RAINIERS (78-66) vs. ROUND ROCK EXPRESS (69-73) Tuesday, September 17 • 6:05 PM • Cheney Stadium • Tacoma, WA LHP Rob Kaminsky (1-0, 6.98) vs. RHP Adrian Sampson (8-10, 5.57)
TACOMA RAINIERS (78-66) vs. ROUND ROCK EXPRESS (69-73)
Tuesday, September 17 • 6:05 PM • Cheney Stadium • Tacoma, WA
LHP Rob Kaminsky (1-0, 6.98) vs. RHP Adrian Sampson (8-10, 5.57)
TONIGHT’S GAME: Tacoma and Round Rock will play game one of their six-game series tonight, with Rob Kaminsky taking the ball for the Rainiers. Kaminsky is set to make his seventh start of the season in his 14th game with Tacoma, entering play with a 1-0 record and a 6.98 ERA. Over his first 13 games, he has allowed 30 earned runs on 56 hits including six home runs while walking 14 batters compared to 38 strikeouts in 38.2 innings. Opposite Kaminsky will be former Rainiers’ pitcher Adrian Sampson toeing the rubber for the Express. Sampson leads Round Rock with 8 wins this year, entering play tonight with an 8-10 record and 5.57 ERA through 26 games (25 starts). He has allowed 79 earned runs on 159 hits and 42 walks while striking out 112 batters over 127.2 innings for the Express, as opponents are hitting .302 against him. In two starts against Tacoma earlier this year, Sampson is 0-1 with a 7.88 ERA, allowing seven earned runs on 16 hits including two home runs, walking one and striking out five over 8.0 innings.
DOUBLE OR NOTHIN’: Jake Slaughter has hit safely in seven of his last eight games, hitting .394 (13-for-33) dating back to Sept. 7. Over that stretch, he has clubbed seven doubles, hitting a two-bagger for 54% of his total hits in his last eight games. He has one home run and 11 runs batted in with five walks compared to seven strikeouts over that span, reaching base at a .474 clip with a .697 slugging percentage. Slaughter has 24 total doubles on the season between his 32 games with Triple-A Iowa and his 79 games with Tacoma, hitting 18 two-baggers with the Rainiers.
END ON A HIGH NOTE: Tacoma enters the last scheduled series of the 2024 regular season with a record of 78-66, looking to reach the 80-win mark for the first time since 2016 and just the fifth time since becoming a Seattle Mariners affiliate in 1995. The Rainiers haven’t won a series since taking five-of-six from Sugar Land back on Aug. 13-18, losing three and splitting one since then. They return home for the final six games of the season where they are 9-3-1 in series and 44-25 overall, looking to end the season on a high note with a series victory.
SLIPPING AWAY: After dropping four-of-six to Oklahoma City last week, Tacoma’s playoff hopes are quickly fading, as they now trail the Reno Aces by 4.5 games with just six games to play. Tacoma is 35-34 in the second half of the season after going 43-32 in the first half. Overall, a very successful season that sees them holding a one game lead in the overall standings of the PCL West, but likely just missing playoffs in both the first and second half of the season in the new Triple-A playoff format. Entering play today, the Rainiers have the fourth-most wins of any team in Triple-A this year, trailing Sugar Land (90), Omaha (86) and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (84).
COMING DOWN TO IT: Ryan Bliss stole two bases in Tacoma’s 6-4 loss to Oklahoma City in the series finale on Sunday, giving him 47 on the year. His 47 stolen bases lead the Pacific Coast League and are just one more than teammate Samad Taylor, who enters play tonight with 46 swiped bags. Cade Marlowe, who hasn’t played with Tacoma since being recalled to Seattle on July 23 and since being placed on the injured list, is third on the team and fourth in the PCL with 43 stolen bases. These three have combined to steal 136 bases, more than 14 Triple-A teams have stolen this year. Their 136 swiped bags are part of Tacoma’s league-leading 269 stolen bases on the season, 12 shy of tying the modern-era PCL record of 281 set by the 1981 Albuquerque Dukes. The Rainiers will need to average two stolen bases a game to tie the record in the final week of the season.
TURNING TWO: Tacoma’s defense turned three more double plays in the series finale against the Baseball Club on Sunday, giving them 153 on the year. Their 153 double plays turned leads all of Triple-A, nine more than the next closest team, the Louisville Bats, with 144. Despite committing more errors lately, the Rainiers have still helped their pitching staff by averaging just over a double play per game.
POWER UP: Jason Vosler played all six games against Round Rock in their lone series this year, hitting .333 (9-for-27) over that span. Three of his nine hits left the yard, as he hit three home runs and drove in 10 for a slugging percentage of .667. Entering the last series of the season, Vosler needs two home runs to reach the 30-home run mark for the first time in his career, entering play tonight with 28 deep flies on the year.
AGAINST ROUND ROCK: Tacoma and Round Rock will play game one of their six-game series tonight and game seven of 12 overall between the two teams this season, with the Rainiers currently holding a 5-1 series lead. Tacoma took five-of-six from Round Rock at Dell Diamond back from June 11-16 and enter play tonight on a four-game winning streak against the Express. Not only does Tacoma hold the season series record over Round Rock, but they also have the all-time series lead over the Express by 18 games, at 59-41.
SHORT HOPS: Tonight’s starter for Round Rock, Adrian Sampson, started 20 games for Tacoma from 2015-16, including nine starts as the home pitcher here at Cheney Stadium…Tacoma enters tonight’s game with the fourth-most wins among any team in Triple-A this season, yet look likely to be eliminated from playoff contention this week, trailing Reno by 4.5 games with just six games remaining on the season…four wins this week would make Tacoma the winningest Rainiers team since the 2001 team that went 85-59; they have won 80 games in 2005 and 2008, earning 81 victories in 2016.
Rainiers Name Rylee Pay Team Broadcaster
TACOMA, WA – The Tacoma Rainiers announced today that Rylee Pay will be the new radio broadcaster for the team. Prior to getting hired by Tacoma, Pay was formerly the Play-by-Play Broadcaster and Media Relations Assistant for the Portland Sea Dogs, Double-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. She also
Tacoma Adds Six Games to 2025 Home Schedule
TACOMA, WA – Today, Major League Baseball announced that the Tacoma Rainiers will add six home games to their original 2025 schedule. Tacoma and Sacramento were originally scheduled to play a six-game series from June 10-15 on the road at Sutter Health Park. That series has since been changed from
John Russell Returns to Manage Tacoma in 2025
TACOMA, WA – Today, the Seattle Mariners announced Tacoma’s 2025 coaching staff, with all four major coaches returning. For the third consecutive season, John Russell will return to manage the Tacoma Rainiers in 2025. The 64-year-old has led Tacoma to a 159-141 record the past two seasons, including a first-place
Tacoma Rainiers Broadcaster Announces Retirement
TACOMA, WA – Long-time radio broadcaster for the Tacoma Rainiers, Mike Curto, has announced he is retiring at the end of the 2024 calendar year. Curto was the voice of the Rainiers for 26 years (25 seasons) after being hired in 1999 and was a minor league broadcaster for 31
Michael Huie Named Triple-A Groundskeeper of the Year
TACOMA, WA – Today, Minor League Baseball named Tacoma Rainiers’ Director of Field Operations Michael Huie the Pacific Coast League and Triple-A Groundskeeper of the Year for the 2024 season. Huie was given the award over nine other PCL teams and 29 other Triple-A teams, bringing home the award for
Jason Vosler Named PCL All-Star
TACOMA, WA – Today, Minor League Baseball announced Triple-A Awards and All-Star teams, with Jason Vosler being named a Pacific Coast League All-Star. He was the lone member of the Tacoma Rainiers to be named a PCL All-Star. Vosler fell short in his bid for PCL Most Valuable Player, as
Tacoma Wins Season Finale
TACOMA, WA – The Tacoma Rainiers (82-68) came back with three runs in the eighth inning to beat the Round Rock Express (71-77) by a score of 6-4 in their final game of the season, Sunday at Cheney Stadium. Tacoma got in front in the first with an RBI single
September 22 Game Notes: Tacoma Rainiers vs. Round Rock Express
TACOMA RAINIERS (81-68) vs. ROUND ROCK EXPRESS (71-76) Sunday, September 22 • 1:35 PM • Cheney Stadium • Tacoma, WA LHP Rob Kaminsky (1-0, 8.14) vs. RHP Adrian Sampson (8-10, 5.71)
Rainiers Set PCL Record in Shutout Win
TACOMA, WA – The Tacoma Rainiers (81-68) stole their 282nd base of the season, setting a new PCL record for most stolen bases in a single season in their 8-0 victory over the Round Rock Express (71-76), Saturday at Cheney Stadium. Samad Taylor scored in the first on a wild
September 21 Game Notes: Tacoma Rainiers vs. Round Rock Express
TACOMA RAINIERS (80-68) vs. ROUND ROCK EXPRESS (71-75) Saturday, September 21 • 6:05 PM • Cheney Stadium • Tacoma, WA RHP Casey Lawrence (10-11, 6.13) vs. LHP Avery Weems (0-1, 11.57)
Express Win in Extras
TACOMA, WA – The Tacoma Rainiers (80-68) lost by a score of 4-3 in extras to the Round Rock Express (71-75), Friday at Cheney Stadium. Round Rock opened the scoring in the second inning on a two-out double from Kellen Strahm, taking a 1-0 lead. They extended their lead to
September 20 Game Notes: Tacoma Rainiers vs. Round Rock Express
TACOMA RAINIERS (80-67) vs. ROUND ROCK EXPRESS (70-75) Friday, September 20 • 7:05 PM • Cheney Stadium • Tacoma, WA RHP Blas Castano (5-4, 5.24) vs. LHP Jacob Latz (0-0, 2.45)
Rainiers Earn 80th Win
TACOMA, WA – The Tacoma Rainiers (80-67) won their 80th game of the season, beating the Round Rock Express (70-75) by a score of 11-4, Thursday at Cheney Stadium. Jason Vosler gave Tacoma a 2-0 lead in the first inning with his 29th home run of the year. The Rainiers
September 19 Game Notes: Tacoma Rainiers vs. Round Rock Express
TACOMA RAINIERS (79-67) vs. ROUND ROCK EXPRESS (70-74) Thursday, September 19 • 7:05 PM • Cheney Stadium • Tacoma, WA RHP Michael Mariot (9-7, 5.94) vs. RHP Peter Solomon (6-4, 6.27)
Express Even Series
TACOMA, WA – The Tacoma Rainiers (79-67) were eliminated from playoff contention, losing to the Round Rock Express (70-74) by a score of 14-5, Wednesday at Cheney Stadium. Round Rock jumped in front with a three-run home run from Trevor Hauver and an RBI single from Jax Biggers, taking a
September 18 Game Notes: Tacoma Rainiers vs. Round Rock Express
TACOMA RAINIERS (79-66) vs. ROUND ROCK EXPRESS (69-74) Wednesday, September 18 • 6:05 PM • Cheney Stadium • Tacoma, WA RHP Nick Payero (0-0, 1.80) vs. RHP Ryan Garcia (2-3, 3.08)
Rainiers Walk Off Express in Opener
TACOMA, WA – The Tacoma Rainiers (79-66) won a back-and-forth game against the Round Rock Express (69-74) by a score of 14-12 in extras, Tuesday at Cheney Stadium. Tacoma took an early 2-0 lead in the first on singles from Jason Vosler and Jake Slaughter, but Round Rock immediately answered
Rainiers Lose Final Road Game of Season
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – The Tacoma Rainiers (78-66) lost the series finale to the Oklahoma City Baseball Club (75-69) by a score of 6-4, Sunday at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. Jason Vosler got Tacoma on the board in the first inning, using an RBI single to make it 1-0. They doubled
September 15 Game Notes: Tacoma Rainiers @ Oklahoma City Baseball Club
TACOMA RAINIERS (78-65) @ OKLAHOMA CITY BASEBALL CLUB (74-69) Sunday, September 15 • 12:05 PM PT • Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark • Oklahoma City, OK RHP Casey Lawrence (10-10, 6.08) vs. RHP Tony Gonsolin (0-0, 0.00)
Oklahoma City Takes Series Lead
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – The Tacoma Rainiers (78-65) lost by a score of 9-3 to the Oklahoma City Baseball Club (74-69), Saturday at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. Oklahoma City jumped in front with a solo home run from Dalton Rushing in the first inning, but Tacoma answered in the second on
September 14 Game Notes: Tacoma Rainiers @ Oklahoma City Baseball Club
TACOMA RAINIERS (78-64) @ OKLAHOMA CITY BASEBALL CLUB (73-69) Saturday, September 14 • 4:05 PM PT • Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark • Oklahoma City, OK RHP Blas Castano (5-3, 4.68) vs. RHP Carlos Duran (0-0, -.--)
Rainiers Even Series with Comeback
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – The Tacoma Rainiers (78-64) evened the series, beating the Oklahoma City Baseball Club (73-69) by a score of 10-5, Friday at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. Ryan Ward opened the scoring in the first inning with a three-run home run, his 30th of the season. Kobe Kato drew
September 13 Game Notes: Tacoma Rainiers @ Oklahoma City Baseball Club
TACOMA RAINIERS (77-64) @ OKLAHOMA CITY BASEBALL CLUB (73-68) Friday, September 13 • 5:05 PM PT • Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark • Oklahoma City, OK RHP Michael Mariot (8-7, 5.89) vs. RHP Tanner Dodson (3-3, 3.36)
Late Comeback Gives Rainiers Win
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – The Tacoma Rainiers (77-64) scored seven late runs to beat the Oklahoma City Baseball Club (73-68) by a score of 8-3, Thursday at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. Tyler Locklear started the scoring in the third inning with an RBI single to give Tacoma a 1-0 lead. It