Erasmo Ramirez came one inning from accomplishing something no Tacoma Rainiers pitcher had done in more than a year – throw a complete game shutout.
“It didn’t work out today,” Tacoma manager Daren Brown said, “but he threw a nice ballgame.”
Backed by four home runs, Ramirez led Tacoma to a 9-1 victory over the Iowa Cubs at Cheney Stadium on Sunday.
Ramirez, who was called up from the Double-A Jackson Generals on Aug. 1, left to a standing ovation from the crowd of 7,238 after giving up a solo home run to former Rainiers hitter Bryan LaHair in the ninth inning.
Ramirez, a 21-year-old right-hander, scattered eight hits, walked none and struck out 11 – the most strikeouts in a game this season by any Tacoma pitcher – in 8 innings.
“He commanded his fastball, commanded all his pitches, moved the ball in and out, up and down,” Brown said. “He was just sharp today.”
Ramirez had thrown 105 pitches when he went out to start the ninth inning. Had he not been going for a shutout, it’s doubtful he would have remained in the game, Brown said.
“Anytime a guy’s got a shutout and has conserved his pitches enough, you like to give him an opportunity to go back out,” Brown said. “A shutout is something special, it doesn’t happen all the time.”
Tacoma’s Chris Seddon was the last Rainiers pitcher to do it, tossing a complete game shutout on June 15, 2010, at Colorado Springs.
Third baseman Alex Liddi celebrated his 23rd birthday with a two-run home run in the first inning. Liddi has been on a tear lately, posting five multi-hit games in the past 10 games. He’s batting .356 in that span with six home runs and 16 RBI.
“He’s getting pitches to hit and not missing them,” Brown said. “That’s the key for any hitter going through a hot streak. They’re getting a fastball they can handle and not missing it … He’s doing a nice job when he gets in position count-wise to do some damage.”
Matt Tuiasosopo added to the offensive barrage in the second inning. He crushed a three-run home run off the top of the right-field scoreboard that gave Tacoma a 5-0 lead. Johan Limonta drilled the same scoreboard for a two-run shot in the eighth inning.
Outfielder Carlos Peguero was pulled from the game after hitting a two-run homer in the third inning. Brown said Peguero was suffering from leg cramps.
After mustering two hits in his first four games with the Rainiers, shortstop Carlos Triunfel went 2-for-4.
With the win, Tacoma kept pace with division-leading Reno, which beat New Orleans, 4-1, and maintained its six-game lead over the Rainiers in the division.
ON TAP
Tacoma ends the four-game series with Iowa today, sending left-hander Nate Robertson (4-5, 7.19 ERA) out to face right-hander Nick Struck (2-3, 5.12). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. The game will be broadcast on 850-AM.
Doug Pacey: 253-597-8271 doug.pacey@thenewstribune.com
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