No Rhubarb!

A beautiful day for an ugly game. The Rainiers tied the game up at six, only fall behind again in the seventh when Mitch Jones' doubled home Matt Kemp. Tacoma dropped this game despite homers from Our Favorite Rainiers (his sixth in 10 games), Goooooooookie Dawkins and Rob Johnson. After a nice outing his last time on the hill, Jake Woods scuffled again, giving up six runs in four innings. The Jim Parque Experiment came in relief and pitched two scoreless innings.

Same two teams tomorrow at 6:05.

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Posted by frinklin at 12:04 AM | 0 comments Links to this post    
Labels: Game Results, Las Vegas 51s, Tacoma Rainiers

Been awhile since it was this easy. The Rainiers jumped on Las Vegas for a run in the first, two in the third, and a four-spot in the fourth, and coasted for the first time since a 7-1 laugher against the Sidewinders last week. Our Favorite Rainier led the charge, going 3-5 with a homer and three runs scored. Ryan Feierabend picks up the win after a solid efforts, giving up three over 5 1/3.

A day game tomorrow at 11:35. Jake Woods (1-3, 5.23), coming off his best performance of the year, takes on Miguel Pinago (2-0, 0.82), who has been dominant since coming up from Jacksonville.

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Posted by frinklin at 11:40 PM | 0 comments Links to this post    
Labels: Game Results, Las Vegas 51s, Tacoma Rainiers

Justin Lehr pitched six-plus innings, giving up only an unearned run in the first, Mike Morse went 3-4 with a two-run homer and the Rainiers notched their third straight win. Taking two of the last three against Las Vegas also gives Tacoma their first road series win of the year, and a .500 road trip. With the game tied at 1-1 in the sixth, Morse hit a screaming line drive that would have been a gap double in most parks, but cleared the Cashman Field wall. Lehr overcame a shaky start – he would have runners in scoring position in the first three innings – and get his second win of the year.

The Rainiers return home tomorrow, for a 6:05 start with the Colorado Springs Sky Sox. Official starters haven't been announced, but it should be Jim Parque (1-1, 6.53) on the mound for Tacoma.

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Posted by frinklin at 11:44 PM | 0 comments Links to this post    
Labels: Game Results, Las Vegas 51s, Tacoma Rainiers

This would be Massive Offensive Explosion Day for Tacoma. Jeff Clement hit his second Triple A Grand Slam, Wlad Balentien, Jeremy Reed and Jon Nelson had a pair of double each and the Rainiers just pulverized Las Vegas. Jorge Campillo went five, gave up 1 run on five hits, and didn't have to worry about this one. He evens his record at 2-2. Afternoon tilt Sunday at 12:05, Justin Lehr (1-0, 3.63) against the 51s starter DJ Houlton (2-0, 1.99).

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Posted by frinklin at 2:21 AM | 0 comments Links to this post    
Labels: Game Results, Las Vegas 51s, MegaSuperBeatDowns, Tacoma Rainiers

Ryan Feierabend earned his first Triple A win tonight, giving up only one run over six innings. After leaving with a 6-1 lead, Feierabend had to sweat out another shaky performance by the Rainier bullpen. Jon Huber pitched 1 1/3 innings and promptly imploded, giving up 4 runs and putting Las Vegas right back into what looked like a blowout win. Sean Green took over, pitched the last 1 2/3 innings and notched his first save.

Backup outfielder Jon Nelson was the hitting star for Tacoma, knocking in four runs including a bases-loaded double. Wladimir Balentien had a walk and a hit the day after his hitting streak came to an end. Same two teams tomorrow night at 7:11. Hard-luck starter Jorge Campillo (1-2, 3.24) takes the mound for Tacoma; lefty Eric Stults (2-0, 2.91) for Las Vegas.

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Posted by frinklin at 10:54 PM | 1 comments Links to this post    
Labels: Game Results, Las Vegas 51s, Tacoma Rainiers

At least this was over quick. Jake Woods, making his first start since coming back from Seattle, lasted five innings and gave up seven earned runs. The 51s were up 7-0 after three and Las Vegas never looked back. To make matters worse, Wladimir Balentien's hitting streak was snapped at 17 games.

There just isn't much worth mentioning here for the hometown nine. They try again tomorrow at 7:11. Ryan Feierabend (0-1, 3.26) for Tacoma against Travis Smith (2-1, 4.15)

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Posted by frinklin at 12:32 AM | 0 comments Links to this post    
Labels: Game Results, Las Vegas 51s, Tacoma Rainiers

The Week that Was: The Rainiers finished with another losing week, going 3-4 against Sacramento, Fresno and Salt Lake. After dropping Sunday's series finale against the River Cats, the Rainiers did manage to pick up three in a row against Fresno. Tacoma missed a chance at the sweep though, and have since lost consecutive games against the Bees. The Rainiers now find themselves at 7-11, four games back of the Salt Lake.

On Deck: The Rainiers have two more tough games in Salt Lake, a night game on Monday and an afternoon tilt on Tuesday. After that game it's on to Sin City (yes, we're deeply ashamed at using that nickname) for a four-game series against the Las Vegas 51s. The 51s stand at 10-6, a game back of Sacramento in the PCL Pacific South.

In The Hole:After the series in Las Vegas, the Rainiers have another only-in-the-minors travel situation; after a 12:05 game in Las Vegas, Tacoma heads to Colorado Springs for a series against the Sky Sox. They play on Saturday, travel Saturday night and play a 6:05 game against the Sox on Sunday. Colorado Springs is las in the Pacific North, currently at 5-10.

Posted by frinklin at 4:00 AM | 0 comments Links to this post    
Labels: Colorado Springs Sky Sox, Las Vegas 51s, Review/Preview, Salt Lake Bees, 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.

The Team: Las Vegas 51s

The Location: Las Vegas, Nevada

The Affiliation: Los Angeles Dodgers

The Website: LV51.com

The Ballpark: Cashman Field. Built in 1983 for the then Las Vegas Stars, Cashman Field is actually closer to downtown than the more famous Strip. This is close to old-school, Sinatra-style Vegas: the Golden Nugget, the El Cortez. The park itself is pretty anti-Vegas though. It's rather plain and glitz-free. Looks like Cheney Stadium to us in fact.

The History: Up until 1983, this franchise was the cross-state rival Spokane Indians. Known as the Stars until 2001, the Vegas franchise has always been affiliated with a Southern California team; the Padres from 83-01, then the Dodgers to current.

Just not one of your more interesting PCL franchises.

The Logo: The name references Area 51, the logo the fabled "Grey" aliens. Area 51 is about 80 miles north of Las Vegas; the Greys are rumored to have lived, died, been interrogated and/or autopsied there.

The Prospects: Andy LaRoche, James Loney, Greg Miller

Posted by frinklin at 12:59 AM | 0 comments Links to this post    
Labels: Know The Enemy, Las Vegas 51s, Tacoma Rainiers