Move in the fences ... at Cheney Stadium?
For all the bluster about moving in the fences at Safeco Field in hopes of kick-starting Seattle’s feeble offense, what about Triple-A Tacoma?
For the seventh time this season and sixth time at Cheney Stadium, the Rainiers were held scoreless, falling 4-0 to Las Vegas on Friday night.
Compare that to being shut out just twice in all of 2011 and seven times in 2010, when Tacoma won the Pacific Coast League championship.
Entering Friday’s game, the Rainiers have hit better on the road – batting .287 away from Cheney Stadium and .253 at home.
So, bring in the fences?
Hold off on calling a contractor.
Rainiers manager Daren Brown doesn’t see anything to get worked up over.
“We do have some younger guys that are going through some struggles, it’s their first full year at the Triple-A level,” he said. “That’s part of it. The other side is you can’t take anything away from their guy. He did a nice job.”
51s starter Sean O’Sullivan (7-4) picked up his second win in as many starts since being traded to the Toronto Blue Jays from the Kansas City Royals. Sullivan threw six scoreless innings, allowing two hits and three walks, while striking out five.
Moises Sierra gave Vegas (46-35) a lead in the second inning when he hit a two-run home run. David Cooper added a solo shot in the sixth.
Tacoma starter Brian Sweeney (3-2) took the loss but pitched well. He went seven innings, giving up three earned runs, six hits, two walks and struck out four.
Relievers Bobby LaFramboise and Chance Ruffin combined to throw two scoreless innings for the Rainiers (32-48).
“We pitched well enough to win,” Brown said. “We didn’t swing the bats real well.”
SHORT HOPS
Seattle called up relief pitcher Steve Delabar on Friday afternoon. Delabar, a 28-year-old right-hander, has allowed five earned runs on eight hits and 10 walks in seven innings since returning to Tacoma on June 16. Delabar takes the roster spot of outfielder Franklin Gutierrez, who was placed on the seven-day disabled list with a concussion. … Catcher Brandon Bantz was assigned to Single-A High Desert Mavericks after being activated off the disabled list. Bantz played 12 games for Tacoma, hitting .371 with eight RBI, before landing on the disabled list May 21.
ON TAP
Rainiers right-hander Andrew Carraway (2-3, 3.70 ERA) will open the four-game series against Fresno at 7:05 tonight. Right-hander Eric Hacker (10-3, 4.37) will start for the Grizzlies.
doug.pacey@thenewstribune.com 253-597-8271 @DougPaceyTNT
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