Tacoma Rainiers News: July 19 - July 25, 2024

The Tacoma Rainiers, the Triple-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners, have had a mixed bag of results over the past week, with some notable performances and a few setbacks. Here’s a breakdown of their recent games and key highlights.

July 25: Rainiers Beat Oklahoma City 5-3

In their latest contest, the Rainiers secured a 5-3 victory over the Oklahoma City Baseball Club at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. The game saw a strong start from Casey Lawrence, who delivered a quality outing despite giving up three runs on five hits and one walk while striking out four. The bullpen stepped up, tossing 2.1 scoreless innings, with Joey Krehbiel closing out the game for his sixth save of the year.

Kobe Kato continued his impressive form, going 3-for-4 with a run scored, a triple, and three runs batted in. This marked his second three-hit game in his first two career Triple-A games, with Kato now hitting .750 (6-for-8) with four runs scored and six runs batted in.

Stolen Bases and On-Base Success

The Rainiers have been excelling in two key areas: stolen bases and on-base percentage. They became the first Triple-A team to reach 200 stolen bases this season, with five players in the top seven on the PCL leaderboard. Samad Taylor leads the team with 35 stolen bases, followed by Ryan Bliss with 30.

In terms of on-base percentage, the Rainiers rank second in the PCL with a .370 mark, thanks in large part to their ability to draw walks. They lead the league with 506 free passes earned, which has translated into 601 runs scored, just 12 behind the Sugar Land Space Cowboys.

Recent Struggles and Upcoming Games

Despite the recent win, the Rainiers have struggled on the road, particularly on Thursdays, where they are 2-7 this season. They will look to improve this record as they continue their six-game set against Oklahoma City, with the series currently tied at two games apiece.

Player Updates

Tyler Locklear: Promoted to the Rainiers, Locklear has been adjusting to Triple-A pitching, making consistent contact and walking frequently. While his strikeout numbers have increased, he is expected to continue developing before a potential big league call-up.

Cole Young: Playing for the Arkansas Travelers, Young has turned his season around, slashing .298/.375/.524 in May and showing positional flexibility by playing second base. His progress has been significant, but a 2025 timeline for his major league debut is still expected.

Upcoming Schedule

The Rainiers will continue their series against Oklahoma City, with the next game scheduled for July 26. Fans can follow the action and get tickets at the official MiLB website.

Stay tuned for more updates on the Tacoma Rainiers as they navigate the Pacific Coast League season.