The Tacoma Rainiers (60-62) outlasted the Fresno Grizzlies (70-53) 10-6 Thursday night from Cheney Stadium despite a multi-home run game by J.D. Davis (2-for-3). The right fielder enjoyed his second two-bomb game of 2018 (June 30th at Sacramento) and picked up his second four-RBI contest in the last three nights.
The Tacoma Rainiers (60-62) outlasted the Fresno Grizzlies (70-53) 10-6 Thursday night from Cheney Stadium despite a multi-home run game by J.D. Davis (2-for-3). The right fielder enjoyed his second two-bomb game of 2018 (June 30th at Sacramento) and picked up his second four-RBI contest in the last three nights. With the loss, the Grizzlies magic number remained at 10 with Reno's win versus Salt Lake. They also dropped to 22-10 in the opener of a series this year.
Davis seized Fresno a 2-0 lead in the top of the second after powering a pitch to right-center field. The two-run clout also netted AJ Reed (2-for-4). It was his third straight night going deep, his fourth in five games and 12th of the season.
Tacoma grabbed the advantage in the bottom of the second. First, Zach Vincej (3-for-5) spanked a single to left, adding John Andreoli (2-for-4). Then, a bases-clearing double to right by Ben Gamel made it 4-2 Rainiers.
Jamie Ritchie cut the deficit to 4-3 in the top of the fifth after mashing a pitch to left field. The solo shot was his third since joining the Grizzlies.
A two-run bottom of the fifth pushed Tacoma ahead 6-3. Former Grizz Andrew Aplin skied a popup to the infield, where the ball disappeared in the lights. It dropped to the ground, knocking in a run. Then, Aplin raced home a batter later when David Freitas (2-for-4) lined a single to center.
That would end the evening for Fresno starter Brady Rodgers (no-decision). He lasted four and two-thirds innings, scattering nine hits, six runs (earned), one walk and seven punchouts.
Davis trimmed the disadvantage to one in the top of the sixth when he blasted a two-run shot to right field. It was Davis' second big fly of the night, the fourth in his last three contests, the fifth in his last five games and 13th of the year. Myles Straw evened the score at six in the top of the seventh when he carried a sacrifice fly to center field, plating Nick Tanielu (2-for-3).
Tacoma brought 10 hitters to the plate in the bottom of the seventh, inching to a 10-6 lead. Freitas helped the cause with a three-run jack to left field. It was his second homer of the season. Then, a bases-loaded free pass notched another run for the Rainiers.
The four-run advantage was enough for Shawn Armstrong to strike out three in one and one-third frames, securing his 13th save of the year. Nick Rumbelow (1-0) relished the victory for the Rainiers while Ralph Garza (0-2) took the defeat for the Grizzlies.
Both teams continue the set with game two of four Friday night from Cheney Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PT. Fresno RHP Trent Thornton (8-8, 4.10) and Tacoma LHP David Rollins (0-0, 0.00) are the probable matchup.
