TUCSON, Ariz. – The Tacoma Rainiers just can’t get over the .500 mark.
For the third time in the past week, Tacoma had a chance to reach a winning record – and for the third time, the Rainiers lost and fell back under .500.
Tuesday night’s Pacific Coast League game in Tucson hurt the most.
Tacoma had an eight-run lead at the seventh inning stretch, only to lose in the 11th inning, 15-14.
The Rainiers are now 48-49 on the year.
The team has only been over .500 one time: after the third game of the season, when it was 2-1.
Tucson won the four-hour game when Eric Patterson tripled to the right field corner with one out in the 11th. James Darnell followed with a grounder through the middle of the drawn-in infield, making a loser out of Tacoma reliever Scott Patterson (3-2), who entered the game in the bottom of the 11th.
Tacoma scored six runs in the top of the seventh inning, seemingly breaking the game open.
Alex Liddi and Johan Limonta each hit three-run homers to give Tacoma a 14-6 lead.
Liddi also tripled twice earlier in the game. He was 3-for-5 with six RBI.
Tucson left fielder Matt Clark almost single-handedly brought the Padres back.
After a two-out error by Tacoma third baseman Matt Mangini extended the bottom of the seventh inning, Clark launched a three-run homer to right-center, making it 14-9.
It was Clark’s second homer of the game, and his 20th of the season.
Clark, a 12th-round pick in 2008 out of LSU, struck again in the bottom of the eighth.
With the bases loaded and one out, Clark laced a three-run double to right field, making it 14-13.
Clark scored the tying run moments later, when Jarrett Hoffpauir nubbed a grounder to the right side.
Second baseman Sean Kazmar charged the ball but was unable to pick it up, and it trickled into right field, allowing Clark to score.
Clark went 4-for-6 with eight RBI.
Tucson received shutout relief from the eighth inning on.
Luis Perdomo, Brad Brach, and Evan Scribner held the Rainiers at bay, with Scribner (2-3) earning the victory for the Padres.
Tacoma outfielder Michael Saunders reached base six times.
Saunders had four hits, including two deep doubles to the opposite field, and he walked twice.
ON TAP
The series continues with a 7 p.m. game today. Tacoma starts Nate Robertson (3-2, 6.33 ERA) against Tucson’s Wade LeBlanc (9-1, 4.02). LeBlanc is tied for the PCL lead in wins and he ranks sixth in ERA.
Mike Curto is the radio broadcaster for the Tacoma Rainiers.
JOIN THE DISCUSSION | Register here
We welcome comments. Please keep them civil, short and to the point. ALL CAPS, spam, obscene, profane, abusive and off topic comments will be deleted. Repeat offenders will be blocked. Thanks for taking part — and abiding by these simple rules. A thorough explanation of rules of conduct can be found in our Terms of Service. If you have any questions, including why your comment may not be showing immediately after you submit it, be sure to visit the commenting FAQ.