Another Double-A pitching prospect made his Tacoma debut Sunday at Cheney Stadium.
Left-hander Steve Garrison joined the likes of Andrew Carraway, Jandy Sena and Danny Hultzen, who have all spent time in the Rainiers’ rotation after being promoted from Jackson (Tenn.).
Garrison lasted five innings, giving up six earned runs in the Rainiers’ 12-3 loss to Fresno in front of 4,971 fans at Cheney Stadium.
He allowed only one run in the first four innings before running into a buzz saw in the fifth – a three-run homer from Brett Pill and a solo shot from Todd Linden, a Central Kitsap High graduate who tied the Grizzlies’ all-time home run record of 79.
In all, Fresno scored five runs in that inning to seize control, 7-2.
“He left some pitches up, and he made some good pitches that were hit, too,” Rainiers manager Daren Brown said. “For the most part, he threw strikes.”
Garrison, drafted in the 10th round of the 2005 amateur draft by Milwaukee, was with the New York Yankees organization last season, even making one relief appearance with the big club in late July.
Seattle signed him to a minor-league contract in November, and he started in the Jackson bullpen – until May, when he went into its rotation.
Garrison became the Rainiers’ 13th different starting pitcher this season. Tacoma had just 12 all of last season.
Alex Liddi launched a two-run home run in the third that tied the game 2-all before Fresno’s fifth-inning eruption.
SHORT HOPS
Brandon Bantz, who was sent to Single-A High Desert on Friday, was back with the Rainiers on Sunday as the backup catcher after Adam Moore was designated for assignment. … With right-hander Josh Kinney getting a promotion to Seattle in place of injured Erasmo Ramirez, the Rainiers will be down a reliever the remainder of the series against Fresno. … Outfielder Trayvon Robinson (knee) missed his ninth consecutive game, and is still listed as day-to-day. … Brown was visibly beaming after finding out former Rainiers first baseman Bryan LaHair had made the National League All-Star team with Chicago. Brown managed the slugger at Single-A Inland Empire (2005), Double-A San Antonio (2006) and in Tacoma from 2007-09.
ON TAP
Right-hander Blake Beavan (2-0, 2.50 ERA) goes for a third consecutive win today for the Rainiers, who face former Tacoma pitcher Yusmeiro Petit (3-3. 3.25) of the Grizzlies in a 7:05 p.m. game at Cheney Stadium.
todd.milles@ thenewstribune.com 253-597-8442 blogs.thenewstribune.com/mariners @ManyHatsMilles
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