FRESNO, Calif. – Runs can score quickly when a team loads up on extra-base hits.
Just ask the Tacoma Rainiers, who ripped six doubles and a homer on their way to an 11-1 rout of the Fresno Grizzlies on Saturday night at Chukchansi Park.
The Rainiers struck for 14 hits – and with half of them going for extra bases, runners were in scoring position all night long.
“When half your hits are for extra bases, and you got 14, you expect to score some runs,” said manager Daren Brown.
The scoring started in the top of the first inning, when Trayvon Robinson opened the game with a single to center field. Robinson stole second base, and he was at third with two outs when Vinnie Catricala singled solidly to right-center, driving in the first run.
After a walk to Luis Jimenez, Chih-Hsien Chiang laced a line-drive double down the left field line, scoring Catricala to make it 2-0.
Jimenez added to the Rainiers’ lead by ripping a two-run line-drive homer to right-center in the third inning. It was the third homer of the season for Jimenez, who also doubled and walked twice on the night.
The Rainiers tacked on three more runs in the fourth inning, and for good measure added a pair in both the sixth and seventh innings.
Each of the first six batters in the lineup finished with two hits, as did No. 9 hitter Luis Rodriguez.
“Seven guys in the lineup with two hits – that’s a pretty good offensive night,” Brown said.
Anthony Vasquez pitched six innings to earn his second win. The left-hander allowed just four hits and one run, recording his ninth consecutive quality start in the PCL.
Vasquez was a little rocky in the first two innings, hitting two batters with pitches, walking another and uncorking a wild pitch to bring home Fresno’s lone run. Vasquez was able to adjust and coast through the next four innings.
Rehabilitating Seattle Mariners left fielder Mike Carp started his second straight game as the designated hitter, going 2-for-5 with a double and an RBI. Carp, who is coming back from a sprained right (throwing) shoulder, is expected to play in the outfield soon.
SHORT HOPS
Tacoma added relief pitcher Brian Sweeney to the roster prior to the game. Sweeney, 37, pitched for Tacoma from 1999-2003, and again in 2010. He’s pitched in the majors with the Mariners and San Diego, and he also pitched for three years in Japan.
ON TAP
Game three of the four-game series in Fresno starts at 2:05 p.m. today. Tacoma will start Matt Fox (0-2, 2.25 ERA) against Fresno’s Travis Blackley (0-0, 0.00).
Mike Curto is the radio broadcaster for the Rainiers.
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