No Rhubarb!

Sometimes baseball can be a bastard. Tonight was one of those times for our hometown nine. The Rainiers went into the ninth with the lead, and Cesar Jimenez - who has been damn near unhittable this year - was on the hill. Jimenez was still unhittable at first. Unfortunately he was so wild Fresno had no need to hit. He struck out Jake Wald on a wild pitch, allowing Wald to get to first. Emmanuel Burris then came up showing bunt, but Jimenez threw wild to first, sending Wald to second. The bunt was off and Burris scalded a triple into right. Brian Horwitz doubled home Burris, and the Grizzlies get the win.

Ugh... This can be such rough game. The finale of this four-game series on Friday. Rainier ace Ryan Feierabend (2-1, 1.59) takes the hill for Tacoma against Nick Periera (1-1, 5.00) for Fresno.

Box

Posted by frinklin at 12:23 AM | 0 comments Links to this post    
Labels: Fresno Grizzlies, Game Results, Tacoma Rainiers

Justin Thomas was called up from Double-A West Tenn and made his Triple-A debut for the Rainiers on Wednesday.

Maybe he can call for a mulligan. Thomas was rocked by the Fresno Grizzlies, going five innings, giving up six run on only five hits. Four walks didn't help matters either. The Rainiers didn't give Thomas the help he needed, collecting only one run on five hits.

Game three is Thursday. Sean Green (0-0, 5.40) expected to start for Tacoma against Victor Santos (1-0, 3.60) for Fresno.

Box

Posted by frinklin at 12:50 AM | 1 comments Links to this post    
Labels: Fresno Grizzlies, Game Results, Tacoma Rainiers

We here at No Rhubarb! are not sure the actual statistics, but we are willing to bed that when one team scores nine runs in a single inning, they usually win. That's how it went down tonight in Fresno, as the Rainiers broke open a scoreless tie in the fourth with nine runs. Tacoma never looked back and romped to an easy win. Bryan LaHair, Wlad Balentien and Jeff Clement all homered in the win. Robert Rorhbaugh pitched 5 2/3 innings to pick up the win, and ex-Ranier and ex-Mariner Julio Mateo took the loss.

Game two tomorrow at 7:05. Lefty Justin Thomas is scheduled to make his Triple-A debut for the Rainiers. He'll face Patrick Misch (1-0, 3.86) for the Grizzlies.

Box

Posted by frinklin at 12:48 AM | 0 comments Links to this post    
Labels: Fresno Grizzlies, Game Results, Tacoma Rainiers

Last night on the radio broadcast, Mike Curto said, "If the Rainiers get pitching like this, they will win a lot of games." Yes, Mike, yes they will. After R.A. Dickey's masterful job on Wednesday, the Rainiers Robert Rohrbaugh (say THAT 10 times fast)pitched a gem in his first start of the year. Rohrbaugh scattered three hits over six scoreless innings, matching Dickey from the day before. Cesar Jimenez continued his hot pitching start, striking out five of his six batters faced. Wlad Balentien continued to heat up, driving in the only RBI of the game with a sixth-inning double. Wlad went 2-for-4, the only Rainier with multiple hits.

Tonight the Rainiers head on the road for four in Colorado Springs and four in Fresno. The game tonight is starts at 5:05. Jose Capellan (0-0, 5.40) for the Sky Sox. Still no announcement for the Rainiers. This is assuming that the game gets off at all. The current forecast for Colorado Springs calls for highs in the thirties and light snow. Good luck fellas.

Box

Posted by frinklin at 8:03 AM | 0 comments Links to this post    
Labels: Fresno Grizzlies, Game Results, Tacoma Rainiers

Another rain soaked early-season game in Tacoma, as the Rainiers beat the Grizzlies for the second straight day. Two Our Favorite Rainier candidates lead the way, as R.A. Dickey threw a no-hitter for 6 2/3 and Wladimir Balentien jacked his first homer, a grand slam in the fifth. That was all that Dickey needed, as he picked up his first win as a Rainier. Dickey, after losing the no-hitter on a soft Scott McClain single in the seventh. Dickey recovered and finished with eight strong innings and his first win of the year.

The last game of the four-game series and the homestand Thursday night at 7:00. This is the first Dollar Days promotion, so come out for some good baseball and cheap eats. Sean White (0-0, 0.00) for the Rainiers, and former Rainier and Mariner Julio Mateo (0-1, 9.00) gets the start for the Grizzlies.

Posted by frinklin at 2:48 AM | 0 comments Links to this post    
Labels: Fresno Grizzlies, Game Results, Our Favorite Rainier, Tacoma Rainiers

Matt Tuiasosopo is in the lead, despite being off to a bit of a slow start. His .063/.063/.167 line is pretty unimpressive, but it's still very early. As to be expected, the more-major league ready Rainiers are off to better starts. Jeff Clement is tearing the cover off the ball at a .400/.467/.526. Considering how much Jose Vidro and Kenji Johjima are struggling for the Mariners, Clement might well be ready for the show.

In a completely unrelated note, we are currently listening to the Rainiers broadcast so ably manned by Mike Curto and we do wish KHHO wasn't so quick to switch to the FOX Sports Radio feed during rain delays. This is for two reasons: 1-FSR really sucks and 2-It's fun to listen to Mike Curto talk baseball. Hey, need a co-pilot Mike? Bloggers are the next media stars you know.

Posted by frinklin at 7:49 PM | 0 comments Links to this post    
Labels: Fresno Grizzlies, Our Favorite Rainier, Rainiers: The Experience, Tacoma Rainiers

The Rainiers shook off the beating Fresno gave them on Monday, jumping out to a five-run lead after three innings. Tacoma then rode six strong innings by Ryan Feierabend to pick up their third win of the year. The Rainiers struck quickly, scoring three runs in the first, triggered by back-to-back doubles by Greg Norton and Bryan LaHair. Tacoma never looked back, as Feierabend picked up his second win of the young season, and extended his scoreless streak to twelve innings to start the year.

Fresno and Tacoma again tomorrow - the still-shaky weather notwithstanding - at 7:00. Our Favorite Rainier candidate R.A. Dickey (0-1, 3.86) against Matt Palmer (0-1, 4.50) of the Grizzlies.

Box

Posted by frinklin at 12:09 AM | 0 comments Links to this post    
Labels: Fresno Grizzlies, Game Results, Tacoma Rainiers

We here at No Rhubarb! usually spend our Monday nights at the Red Hot with various other bloggers and friends. Tonight we watched the final of the NCAA tournament, then followed that up with the most demented TV show ever. On the way home we flipped to KHHO to check up on the beloved Rainiers and hear the dulcet tones of Mike Curto. At that point Mike let us know that the Grizzlies four and five spot hitters (Scott McClain and Brett Harper) had accounted for nine RBIs.

As you might imagine, this is not a good sign. Tacoma could have used some of Sunday's rain as they were blasted, pummeled, obliterated... take your pick. The Grizzlies picked up a run in the second, two in the third and six in the fourth, racing to a 15-2 win at Cheney Stadium. Rainier starter Joe Woerman picked up the loss, giving up eight runs in 3 and 2/3 innings. Andrew Baldwin took over and didn't do much better, giving up seven runs in two innings. The only real bright spot for Tacoma was Jeff Clement's two-run double in the fourth.

The same two teams tomorrow. Hopefully it will go just a touch better for the hometown nine.

Box

Posted by frinklin at 12:08 AM | 0 comments Links to this post    
Labels: Fresno Grizzlies, Game Results, MegaSuperBeatDowns, Tacoma Rainiers

Due to some nasty on-again, off-again rain and a soaked playing field Tacoma and Sacramento were only able to complete one game of the Sunday doubleheader. Veteran Mike Kinkade punched a two-run homer in the fourth, and Phillip Barzilla vultured a win after replacing starter Sean White in the fourth. Cesar Jimenez pitched a perfect ninth to record his second save. The second game was eventually called off, likely to be made up later in the season.

The Fresno Grizzlies come to town, starting a four-game series on Monday. Each of the four games starts at 7:00 PM.

Box

Posted by frinklin at 12:12 AM | 0 comments Links to this post    
Labels: Fresno Grizzlies, Game Results, Sacramento River Cats, Tacoma Rainiers

The Hated Portland Beavers have a TV deal with Fox Sports Northwest, and unlike last season, they are broadcast up here in Tacoma. The Lucky Beavers and Fresno Grizzlies are on FSN at 2PM. This is a very nice chance to see both a fellow PCL team and Portland's PGE Park, which Jamie used as a photoshop to show what a Foss Waterway park might look like.


Update: Seems that nobody told the fine people of Portland that the Beavs would be playing today. There are maybe 250 brave souls in PGE.

Update Again: And now we get a rain delay!

Posted by frinklin at 1:48 PM | 0 comments Links to this post    
Labels: Flights of Fancy, Fresno Grizzlies, Portland Beavers, Tacoma Rainiers

It would be difficult to come up with a better game to start the second half with than this one. Perfect weather for baseball, a tight, taut game throughout, a brilliant inning of work by rehabbing Mariner Mark Lowe and Our Favorite Rainier hitting his 22nd homer for the win. Throw in Kam Mickolio's first Triple-A save, and you have the Rainiers' fifth win in a row.

Lots more of these fellas. That's all we need.

BOX

Posted by frinklin at 10:42 PM | 1 comments Links to this post    
Labels: Fresno Grizzlies, Game Results, Tacoma Rainiers

Crud.

So, no sweep. The recently called up Jason Mackintosh (and by “recently” we mean about 10 minutes before first pitch) had a fine AAA debut, going 5 scoreless innings. Unfortunately, the bullpen did him no justice as Ryan Rowland-Smith gave up 4 runs in 2/3 of an inning. The bats were weren't much better, as the Rainiers collected only 5 hits. Tacoma ends this eight-game homestand 4-4, and now head off the Salt Lake and Las Vegas. First up is the Bees, tomorrow at 5:35 PST.

It might be PDT, we never bothered to learn which was which.

We have to point this out from the official site, regarding the pitching match up tomorrow

Ryan Feierabend starts for Tacoma against Kasey Olenberger in a battle bewtween pitchers with really long last names.

Memo to the press release writer: It is our job to be snarky and funny. Please don't put us out of business. While we are impressed with recent teaks tweaks to the official site, we ask that you please remember your place. Leave any potential humor to under-employed part-time bloggers such as us.

And in return, we will not point out any possible spelling errors.

Update: Well, now we should REALLY not point out any possible errors. Though a nice teak finish might be nice for TacomaRainiers.com.

Ahem.

Thank You.

Box from Minor League Baseball

Posted by frinklin at 10:21 PM | 0 comments Links to this post    
Labels: Fresno Grizzlies, Game Results, Tacoma Rainiers

The Rainiers take their third in a row over Fresno. Jim Parque continued his comeback with an excellent start, going seven innings, giving up only one run and six strikeouts. Jeremy Reed hit a sacrifice fly and a third-inning double. Prentice Redman (I didn’t know he was on the team, and neither did you) hit a two-run homer in the fourth, and that was all Parque and reliever Byron Embry needed.

Tomorrow the Rainiers go for their first sweep of the year. It’s Friday night at Cheney Stadium, so that means Fireworks Night. First pitch is 6:05, and then it’s off to Salt Lake for another road trip. Cha Baek (1-0, 2.55) against Matt Palmer (1-0, .371).

And who makes the schedules for these guys? Who ever heard of a Friday night get-away?

Box from Minor League Baseball.

Posted by frinklin at 11:00 PM | 0 comments Links to this post    
Labels: Fresno Grizzlies, Game Results, Tacoma Rainiers

I braved the rain and cold on Tuesday to see Tim Lincecum pitch for the Grizzlies. Boy, he sure seems like the real deal.

Now, that's some stunning scouting, huh? It's just that kind of knowledge that keeps 'em coming back.

His line for Tuesday was spectacular: 6.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 11 K. That isn't the story though. Watching this game, I had to wonder just how the Rainiers managed to get those three hits. Lincecum's stuff is overpowering, and if he keeps his walks down – or non-existent – as was the case against Tacoma, it's a wonder if we'll see him again when Fresno comes to town in July.

Posted by frinklin at 12:02 AM | 0 comments Links to this post    
Labels: Fresno Grizzlies, Tacoma Rainiers, Tim Lincecum

Justin Lehr pitched six innings to pick up his first victory of the year as Tacoma beat Fresno for the second straight night. The Rainiers notched runs in four of the first five innings, including three against Grizzly starter Erick Threets in just 2.2 innings. While Lehr picked up the win, the pitching star for this game might well be a rapidly improving bullpen Renee Cortez and Eric O'Flaherty contributed three scoreless innings, with O'Flaherty picking up his third save.

Jon Nelson was the hitting star for the Rainiers, picking up two hits and an RBI double. Same two tomorrow night for game three at 6:05. Jim Parque (0-1, 9.31) continues his comeback against Matt Kinney (1-1, 4.15).

Box from Minor League Baseball

Posted by frinklin at 11:39 PM | 0 comments Links to this post    
Labels: Fresno Grizzlies, Game Results, Tacoma Rainiers

There weren’t many fans left at Cheney Stadium for the bottom of the ninth, but those that were got a treat. The Rainiers picked up two in the ninth to spoil Tim Lincecum’s dominant homecoming start. Jeff Clement hit a two-run double to drive in Gookie Dawkins and Wladimir Balentien. After Lincecum’s dominance (6 2/3 innings, 3 hits 11 K), the Rainiers seemed to get to the Grizzlies’ bullpen, but Jeremy Reed struck out with the bases loaded in the eighth. Fresno closer Brian Wilson couldn’t hold it in the ninth though, and Tacoma gets a much-needed win.

We were at this game, and it was a fun one. I’ll have some pictures and general thoughts tomorrow.

One easy one: Lincecum can really bring it.

Box from MiLB

Again tomorrow at 6:05. Justin Lehr for the Rainiers against Erick Threets for Fresno. Threets is an interesting case. He was a heralded prospect before wildness and injury problems derailed his career. He was once supposedly clocked at 104 mph. That -if verifiable - would be the fastest fastball ever recorded.

Posted by frinklin at 11:32 PM | 0 comments Links to this post    
Labels: Fresno Grizzlies, Game Results, Tacoma Rainiers

The Week That Was: Not a great week for the hometown nine; the Rainiers started the week getting blasted 16-1 in Fresno, and ended it by dropping the first two games at home in excruciating fashion. Some measure of success was reached to end the week, as the Rainiers beat Sacramento 4-1. Overall Tacoma finished the week 2-5. The Rainiers are tied for second in the PCL Pacific North, three games behind Salt Lake.

On Deck: The Rainiers finish the four game series with Sacramento Monday evening, which is the last we shall see of the River Cats until mid-June. Fresno comes to town for a four-game series starting on Tuesday, with all games starting at 6:05. The can't miss game should be Wednesday. If the Grizzlies' rotation holds up, Tim Lincecum will take the mound at Cheney Stadium.


In The Hole: After the Grizzlies series Tacoma starts on another road trip with four against the very tough Salt Lake Bees. The Bees, at 7-4 sporting the best record in the PCL, are a strong team starring third baseman Brandon Wood. Named the 2005 Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year after clubbing 43 homers for Rancho Cucamonga of the California League, Wood followed that up with another 25 at Double-A Arkansas. A tall shortstop in the Cal Ripken mode, Wood is switching to third to avoid the glut of middle infielders controlled by parent club Los Angeles.

Posted by frinklin at 5:05 AM | 0 comments Links to this post    
Labels: Fresno Grizzlies, Review/Preview, Sacramento River Cats, Tacoma Rainiers

The modern-day Pacific Coast League is a massive enterprise consisting of 16 teams stretching from Tacoma and Portland in the Pacific Northwest to New Orleans of the deep south. These are the teams our hometown nine will face throughout the long season. You must know the enemy!

The Team: Fresno Grizzlies

The Location: Fresno, California

The MLB Affiliation: San Fransisco Giants

The Website: FresnoGrizzlies.com

The Stadium: Chukchansi Park. Designed by the legendary architecture firm HOK, this jewel of a ballpark was built in 2002, anchoring the rehabilitation of downtown Fresno.

The History: Fresno fielded a team in 1907, the Raisin Eaters (why, oh why didn't they bring back that name?), but that team moved to Sacramento the following season. Between 1908 and 1998, the city supported a variety of California League teams. The PCL returned when the expansion Arizona Diamondbacks forced the Giants' AAA team from Phoenix. The Phoenix Firebirds dropped their affiliation with San Francisco, and moved to Tucson to become the Sidewinders. The existing Tuscon Toros moved to Fresno to become the Grizzlies.

The Prospects: Tim Lincecum, Brian Wilson

Posted by frinklin at 12:03 AM | 0 comments Links to this post    
Labels: Fresno Grizzlies, Know The Enemy, Tacoma Rainiers

Yeah, that Lincecum guy. He's pretty good. Seven innings, four hits, nine strikeouts. Yeah... not so bad. Credit to Jorge Campillo, he pitched a strong game as well, giving up two in the first, then settling in. The Rainiers will take seven innings and two runs every game, and win most of 'em.

The Home Opener is tomorrow. We'll be there. You should be too.

Box Score

Posted by frinklin at 11:05 PM | 0 comments Links to this post    
Labels: Fresno Grizzlies, Game Results, Tacoma Rainiers

It’s get-away day in Fresno tonight, as the Rainiers and the Grizzlies wrap-up a four-game series, and then Tacoma heads home.

But that isn’t the big deal tonight. The Big Deal (yes, he deserves the caps) is Tim Lincecum. Last year’s Golden Spikes winner, the best prospect in the Giant system, at worst one of the top 20 prospects in all the minors. He throws in the upper-90s, with a hammer curve and a developing change. He won’t be in Fresno very long; barring disaster he’ll see San Francisco by the All-Star break. He is a stiff challenge for the hometown nine.

You might ask how such a heralded prospect lasted until the 11th pick in the draft, being bypassed by ten teams, including his hometown Seattle Mainers. Lincecum is not perfect. He’s a smallish (6-0, 170#) righthander in a sport that prizes horses like Felix Hernandez. Lincecum also has a high stress motion that actually has him facing away from the mound. Most of all, his issue was innings; he was worked hard by the Huskies, working over 300 innings in his career there. Many scouts feel he’s a blow-out waiting to happen.

Don’t miss this one. Jorge Campillo goes for the Rainiers.

Posted by frinklin at 6:11 PM | 0 comments Links to this post    
Labels: Fresno Grizzlies, Game On, Tacoma Rainiers