Aviators knock off Rainiers despite Jantzen Witte’s huge day

Tacoma’s second baseman homered and doubled twice, for the club’s first five-hit game this season

August 16, 2021

Tacoma, WA (8/16/21) – The Tacoma Rainiers (51-38) dropped their second straight to the Las Vegas Aviators (45-44), losing 7-3 at home on Monday afternoon. Tacoma was unable to overcome the Aviators’ offensive assault, despite Jantzen Witte’s home run, two doubles and two RBI in his 5-for-5 effort (first five-hit

Tacoma, WA (8/16/21) – The Tacoma Rainiers (51-38) dropped their second straight to the Las Vegas Aviators (45-44), losing 7-3 at home on Monday afternoon. Tacoma was unable to overcome the Aviators’ offensive assault, despite Jantzen Witte’s home run, two doubles and two RBI in his 5-for-5 effort (first five-hit game for Tacoma this season).

Khris Davis opened the scoring in the second inning with a two-run homer to left, driving in Austin Allen (single) and giving the Aviators a 2-0 lead.

Vegas broke open the game with a crooked number in the fifth. Carlos Perez led off the inning with a double, and Mickey McDonald followed suit to bring him in. Two batters later, McDonald came around to score on a Nick Allen groundout. Chad Pinder (MLB Rehab) put the finishing touches on the inning with a two-run blast to right-center field, putting the Aviators up six.

Witte got Tacoma on the board with a solo shot to left-center in the bottom of the frame, bringing the score to 6-1. The Rainiers continued to chip away in the bottom of the seventh with RBI singles from Witte and Jose Godoy, pulling Tacoma within three runs.

The Aviators added an insurance tally in the eighth when Skye Bolt (double) scored on a Khris Davis single, giving Las Vegas a 7-3 advantage on their way to a four-run win.

Tacoma’s bullpen of Moises Gomez, Justin Grimm and Brian Schlitter combined for three frames of one-run ball. On the other side, RHP Brian Howard pitched five innings of one-run, four-hit ball, striking out three and walking one in his third start against the Rainiers this season. Vegas’s bullpen continued to hold Tacoma’s bats in check, surrendering just two runs in four innings of work.

The Rainiers will be back at Cheney Stadium tomorrow night for the series finale at 7:05 PT. Tacoma will send RHP Darren McCaughan to the hill as the Rainiers go for a series win.

Rainiers broadcaster Mike Curto will have full coverage on TacomaRainiers.com. All 2021 Rainiers games, home and away, can also be heard for free on the MiLB First Pitch app. HD video broadcasts of every home game can be viewed with an MiLB.TV subscription. (Use code: RAINIERS to save $10 on an annual subscription.

About the Tacoma Rainiers

The Tacoma Rainiers are the Triple-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. The Rainiers are a member of Triple-A West. Tacoma has been a Mariners affiliate since establishing the Rainiers moniker in 1995.

Single-game tickets for all remaining 2021 Rainiers home games are now available. Questions regarding season tickets can be directed to [email protected].

The most up-to-date news and notes about the Tacoma Rainiers and Cheney Stadium can be found at WeRTacoma.com, or by following the Rainiers on Twitter (@RainiersLand), Instagram (@tacomarainiers) and liking the team on Facebook.