Rainiers Drop Second Extra Innings Game in Series Finale with Sacramento

Sacramento, California - Despite a seven-run inning and holding two separate leads at Raley Field on Monday afternoon, the Tacoma Rainiers dropped their third straight game and their second in extra innings in five days against the Sacramento River Cats, 11-10.
The Rainiers (1-4) found themselves in an early 3-0 hole, but after the first nine Tacoma hitters reached to start the fourth, they jumped out to 7-3 advantage. Designated hitter Jose Lobaton kicked off the lopsided inning with a three-run home run on a 3-1 delivery from Sacramento starter Enderson Franco. Catcher Austin Nola, who finished 4-for-5 with two RBI and two runs, stung a single to center to bring in J.P. Crawford and give the Rainiers their first lead. Right fielder Ian Miller drove home Kristopher Negrón and center fielder Braden Bishop plated a pair with his fourth double of the series.
Nola's four-hit effort was the only one of the series for either team. The Baton Rouge-born catcher collected knocks in all three games he played, going 6-for-12.

Bishop's run-scoring two-bagger extended his hitting streak to five games and the outfielder finished the road trip with a .409 average (9-for-22). Bishop entered Monday in the top-2 in the Pacific Coast League in doubles (1st), hits (2nd) and walks (2nd).
Crawford led off the eighth with a solo home run, his first of the season, on the first pitch from Steven Okert. With one out, Eric Young, Jr. pulled a ground ball to the right side which scored Nola from third.
All told, Tacoma scored their 10 runs on 13 hits, six of which went for extra bases, including two home runs. The Rainiers supplemented their attack by drawing three walks from Sacramento pitchers.
After Ruben Alaniz dealt a perfect ninth inning, the Rainiers recaptured the lead in the 10th when Nola doubled home the automatic runner Crawford. A double and a sacrifice fly in the home half of the inning spoiled Tacoma's come-from-behind effort and wiped out a Rainiers lead for the fifth time in as many games.
Tacoma gave the ball to Nabil Crismatt to start out the contest. He threw 5 2/3 innings, surrendering four runs, all of them earned, on six hits with one walk and four punch-outs. The Rainiers then went to the bullpen, bringing in Ryan Garton for the following 1 1/3 innings. Garton allowed five runs on six hits, striking out two, before being relieved by Shawn Armstrong. Armstrong didn't yield a run in one inning of work, giving up one Sacramento hit while fanning two. To finish out the game, Tacoma turned to Alaniz (0-1), who went the final 1 1/3 innings, allowing two runs and one hit, walking two, and striking out two.
Tacoma pitchers altogether allowed the 11 Sacramento runs, 10 earned, on 14 hits, while walking three and punching out 10. It was the third straight game that Sacramento scored double-digit runs.
The Rainiers start their home season at Cheney Stadium on Tuesday night against the El Paso Chihuahuas, Triple-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres. First pitch is at 6:05 p.m. PDT as right-hander Erik Swanson (0-0, 0.00) makes his encore appearance to a stellar debut on Opening Night where he pitched five scoreless innings and tied a Triple-A personal-best with eight strikeouts. Mike Curto will have full coverage on South Sound Talk 850 with audio streaming available on the Tacoma Rainiers TuneIn Radio Network. Video streaming is available on MiLB.TV.
All tickets, group outings, and suites packages for the 2019 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), Instagram (tacomarainiers) or liking the team on Facebook.
- We R Tacoma -
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