MiLB AAA Baseball News

Tacoma Rainiers Game Notes: vs. El Paso (1:35 PT)

John Russell Named 2023 Tacoma Rainiers Manager

April 23, 2023 – Pacific Coast League (PCL)Tacoma Rainiers News Release

Tacoma Rainiers (11-8) vs. El Paso Chihuahuas (7-13)

Sunday, April 23, 2023, 1:35p.m. PT | Cheney Stadium: Tacoma, WA

RHP Easton McGee vs. RHP Pedro Avila

I GOT FIVE ON IT: Yesterday was the first 5-0 Mariners organization sweep from A-ball through the big leagues this season. Class A Modesto won at Lake Elsinore (8-5) in a simultaneous M’s-Padres matchup, High-A Everett beat Vancouver at home (7-3) and Double-A Arkansas improved to 10-4 by nipping Frisco in a road game (3-1). The perfect day was capped off by a 2-1 Tacoma win over El Paso (RHP Darren McCaughan: 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 1 BB, 10 K) before Seattle clinched a series win vs. St. Louis with a 5-4 triumph at T-Mobile Park, aided by a Jarred Kelenic homer.


WHAT LEAGUE IS THIS?: A dead ball era has arrived suddenly and without warning…In six Pacific Coast League games yesterday, on the notoriously offensive circuit, only 31 total runs were scored, 12 of which came during a Reno at Salt Lake doubleheader. Salt Lake’s 4-3 victory in the first game was Saturday’s highest-scoring PCL affair. Tacoma’s 2-1 win over El Paso was the lowest.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?: At three games over .500 (11-8), Tacoma’s +26 run differential leads the PCL, by 10, entering today’s action. This is despite a 19-4 home loss to Reno on 4/8. Sacramento is +16 in runs, but is 10-10. The top two records in the league are +11 (Oklahoma City, 14-6) and +14 (Round Rock, 12-7).

FIVE-HITTE WITTE: Former Rainier and current El Paso third baseman Jantzen Witte enjoyed a career-year during his only season with the club, Tacoma’s 2021 PCL Championship campaign. He hit .299 over 104 games (.364 OBP, .856 OPS) with 19 homers, and was named Team MVP by Tacoma’s coaching staff and front office. Witte also has the most recent five-hit game for the Rainiers, on 8/16/21 at Cheney Stadium vs. Las Vegas– in a 7-3 defeat. Current El Paso teammate and fellow 2021 Rainier Luis Liberato was named club Defensive Player of The Year that season, as he routinely dazzled in both corners and centerfield. Witte spent last season with the Seibu Lions in Japan (Nippon Professional Baseball); Liberato made his MLB debut with the San Diego Padres on 9/10/22 (home vs. LAD, 7 total MLB GP), in his 10th season as a professional.

SPENT A MONTH THERE ONE NIGHT: The Rainiers have won eight of 11 against El Paso dating to last season, and have rallied to lead the all-time series between the two,…

Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at OurSports Central Pacific Coast League PCL News…