Late Rally Gives Rainiers 10-6 Victory Over Chihuahuas

Gordon Beckham leads offense with 3-for-4, 3 R, 2 RBI performance

Rainiers infielder Taylor Motter. (Jeff Halstead)

By Tacoma Rainiers Communications

May 9, 2018

EL PASO, Texas - A ninth-inning rally lifted the Tacoma Rainiers (15-17) to a 10-6 series-opening victory over the El Paso Chihuahuas (18-15) on Tuesday night at Southwest University Park.          Shortstop Gordon Beckham led the Rainiers offense with a 3-for-4 performance that included three runs, one home run, one triple, two

EL PASO, Texas - A ninth-inning rally lifted the Tacoma Rainiers (15-17) to a 10-6 series-opening victory over the El Paso Chihuahuas (18-15) on Tuesday night at Southwest University Park.
Shortstop Gordon Beckham led the Rainiers offense with a 3-for-4 performance that included three runs, one home run, one triple, two RBI, and a walk. Third baseman Taylor Motter helped seal the win for Tacoma with a three-run home run in the top of the ninth inning. Right fielder John Andreoli (2x4, R) collected the Rainiers only other multi-hit performance.

The back-and-forth contest led the two clubs into the ninth inning locked in a 6-6 tie before the Rainiers offense took control of the game. Back-to-back singles to open the frame from center fielder Ian Miller and Beckham set up an RBI fielder's choice grounder off the bat of first baseman Daniel Vogelbach to give Tacoma a 7-6 edge. Left fielder Cameron Perkins followed with a walk, and two batters later Motter deposited his first home run of the season over the wall in left field to blow the game open and give the Rainiers a 10-6 win.
Rainiers starting pitcher Aríel Miranda allowed four runs in five hits over 4.2 innings of work - he struck out five and issued five walks on 105 pitches (56 strikes) and did not factor into the decision.
Mike Morin (2-0) earned the win with 1.2 innings of perfect pitching, allowing no baserunners and striking out two to close out the game.
Ashton Goudeau (1.0 IP) and Dario Álvarez (1.2 IP) both allowed one run in relief on a combined four hits - Alvarez struck out two.
Tacoma and El Paso continue the series on Wednesday night at 5:35 p.m. PT. Rainiers starting right-hander Rob Whalen (3-2, 6.00) will square off against Chihuahuas righty Walker Lockett (1-2, 4.91).
All tickets, group outings, and suites packages for the 2018 season are available for purchase in person at the Cheney Stadium Box Office, online at TacomaRainiers.com, or over the phone at (253) 752-7707. The most up-to-date news and notes about the Rainiers throughout the season can be found by following the Rainiers on Twitter (@RainiersLand) or liking the team on Facebook.