Werth, Motter Lead Rainiers Past River Cats, 8-5

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Exceptional play from right fielder Jayson Werth and shortstop Taylor Motter led the Tacoma Rainiers (19-20) to an 8-5 victory over the Sacramento River Cats (20-19) on Monday night at Raley Field.
The Rainiers matched their season-high mark in hits with 14 as seven-of-nine batters in the lineup collected a base knock. Werth led the pack with his best game of the season, reaching base four times going 3-for-4 with two runs, two doubles, one home run, three RBI, and a walk. Motter joined Werth with a trio of hits, going 3-for-5 with one run, a double, and two RBI.

Also collecting multiple hits was designated hitter Daniel Vogelbach (2x5) - who extended his hitting streak to seven games - left fielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis (2x5, R, 2B, RBI), and second baseman Zach Vincej (2x3, R, RBI, BB).
The Rainiers fell behind early, facing a 2-0 deficit after the first inning before storming back to take the lead. Tacoma plated one run in the second and third before grabbing a 3-2 lead on an infield single from second baseman Zach Vincej in the top of the fourth.
Werth extended the Rainiers lead to 6-2 with a three-run home run in the top of the fifth - it was his second home run of the season. The River Cats rallied for three runs in the bottom of the fifth to cut the Rainiers lead to just one run, but Tacoma responded with two runs in the next frame courtesy of a two-run double from Motter.
Tacoma reliever Casey Lawrence entered the game with a three-run lead in the bottom of the sixth and proceeded to pitch four perfect innings to lock down the save and a Rainiers 8-5 victory.
Rainiers starting pitcher Rob Whalen (5-2) worked five innings for Tacoma and allowed five runs on eight hits while walking two and striking out eight to earn the win.
Whalen (8 K) and Lawrence (5 K) combined to give the Rainiers 13 strikeouts on the night, the club's best mark of the season.
Tacoma and Sacramento wrap up their five-game series tomorrow afternoon at 12:05 p.m. PT. Rainiers right-hander Max Povse (1-6, 9.38) and River Cats righty Tyler Beede (1-3, 5.63) will take the mound.
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.