LAS VEGAS – The Tacoma Rainiers finished their final homestand on a hot streak, and they carried that roll into Las Vegas on Monday.
The Rainiers scored the game’s first seven runs and held on to defeat the 51s, 7-5, at Cashman Field behind Alex Liddi’s four RBI.
Liddi had an RBI double in the first and a three-run home run in the fifth to help the Rainiers win the first game of their season-ending, eight-game road trip.
The Rainiers have won seven of their past 10 games after a 6-3 homestand that ended Sunday.
Tacoma needed the early run support because the 51s chased starter Andrew Carraway with a five-run fifth inning.
Carraway, after walking two in the first, cruised through four scoreless innings before losing command. He walked two, threw a wild pitch and surrendered a two-run homer to Yan Gomes before being replaced by Brian Moran with one out and the Rainiers’ lead chopped to two.
Moran (3-3) retired the next two hitters to end the threat, and earned the victory with 2 scoreless innings. After Chance Ruffin pitched a scoreless inning, Danny Farquhar retired all four batters he faced for his fourth save.
Luis Rodriguez had four hits for Tacoma, and Darren Ford had three hits. Mike Carp, on Seattle’s 15-day disabled list with a strained groin muscle, made his first rehab start at designated hitter and had an RBI single in the first inning.
HULTZEN HONORED
Top Mariners prospect Danny Hultzen was selected as the Pert Plus Minor League star of the year in a fan vote. Hultzen was selected as the Triple-A pitcher with the brightest future.
ON TAP
The Rainiers continue their series in Las Vegas with a 7:05 p.m. game today. Shawn Hill (9-4, 4.64 ERA) is scheduled to pitch for the 51s while the Rainiers have not announced a starter.
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