LAS VEGAS – August was a decent month for pitcher Hector Noesi. Unfortunately for him and the Tacoma Rainiers, his last start of the month was not so good.
Noesi surrendered six runs and 11 hits in 5 innings as the Rainiers dropped a 6-5 Pacific Coast League decision to the Las Vegas 51s at Cashman Field on Tuesday.
Doubles were especially damaging for Noesi, who had been solid in five previous August starts – a 3.21 ERA in 332/3 innings before Tuesday. He gave up six doubles, including Brian Bocock’s double in the sixth inning that broke a tie at 4.
That brought in reliever Cesar Jimenez. Jimenez got the second out before giving up another double to Jonathan Diaz that made it 6-4.
It was a key run because the Rainiers cut the deficit to one on Guillermo Quiroz’s 15th home run of the season in the seventh.
The Rainiers would get no closer. Noesi took the loss, falling to 1-6 – 3-17 if his 2-11 mark with the parent-club Mariners is included.
The Rainiers left 13 runners on base, including 10 in the first five innings.
Alex Liddi continued his hot streak. The Rainiers’ third baseman had three hits, including a two-run single in Tacoma’s three-run sixth inning. Liddi has driven in nine runs in his last four games.
ON TAP
The Rainiers continue their series in Las Vegas with a 7:05 p.m. game that will be heard on 850-AM. Danny Hultzen (1-3, 5.14 ERA) pitches for Tacoma against Bill Murphy (6-5, 4.72).
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