July 9 Game Notes: Tacoma Rainiers at Albuquerque Isotopes

July 9, 2024 – Pacific Coast League (PCL)
Tacoma Rainiers News Release

TACOMA RAINIERS (49-38) @ ALBUQUERQUE ISOTOPES (32-55)

Tuesday, July 9 – 5:35 PM PT – Isotopes Park – Albuquerque, NM

LHP Rob Kaminsky (0-0, 1.86) vs. RHP Peyton Battenfield (2-4, 8.95)

TONIGHT’S GAME: Southpaw Rob Kaminsky will get the ball for Rainiers in their series opener at Isotopes Park in Albuquerque. In three appearances (two starts) for Tacoma this season, Kaminsky is 0-0 with a 1.86 ERA over 9.2 innings pitched. Kaminsky has faced the Isotopes just once in his career, when he threw two shutout innings on May 20th at Albuquerque in game one of a doubleheader. Opposing Kaminsky will be right-hander Peyton Battenfield (2-4, 8.95), who will be facing Tacoma for the first time in his career. The Rainiers will look to continue their momentum after taking four of six from Salt Lake, while the Isotopes will look to win another series after splitting their last two.

ROAD REBOUND: With Saturday’s win at Smith’s Ballpark in Salt Lake, the Rainiers secured just their third road series win of the season. On the year, Tacoma is 3-5 in road series (21-24 in road games overall), compared to an almost-perfect 7-1-0 series record at home (28-14 overall). However, things could be looking up for the Rainiers on the road, as Tacoma pitchers own a 4.60 road ERA, the best in the PCL. Meanwhile, the Isotopes’ staff has posted an 8.09 ERA at home, the highest in the league at home.

BOLTON DOWN: Rainiers reliever Cody Bolton continued his dominance of Triple-A on Saturday, logging a scoreless seventh while allowing a hit and striking out one. On the year, Bolton has yet to allow a run in 10.2 innings, surrendering just seven baserunners (four hits, one hit batter, and two walks) compared to 10 strikeouts. Moreover, opposing batters are hitting just .114 against Bolton so far, a big reason for his 0.56 WHIP. Bolton is one-for-one on saves this season, and has recorded two holds as well, serving as a key arm in Tacoma’s ‘pen.

BACK TO TWO: Tacoma added catcher Seby Zavala after he was designated for assignment by Seattle on July 6. When he was previously with the Rainiers, they were holding three catchers, limiting the playing time of all three. Today, however, to make room for Zavala on the active roster, Tacoma released catcher Michael Perez to free agency. Now it will be just Michael Papierski and Zavala as the primary catchers, likely alternating days in the starting lineup behind the dish.