TACOMA, WA (August 1, 2026) — The Tacoma Rainiers (12-20/45-62) dropped the series to the Sacramento River Cats (18-14/60-44), falling in Saturday night’s game 7-2 at Cheney Stadium. Connor Joe reached base safely four times, finishing 2-for-2 with a pair of runs and a run scored. Brock Rodden and Jakson Reetz were responsible for driving in the two Tacoma runs in the loss.
Sacramento got on the board first in the top of the third inning when Parks Harber (3) drove a two-out, solo shot over the left field wall, making it 1-0.
Tacoma tied it up in the bottom of the fifth inning. With two outs, Spencer Packard worked a walk and advanced to second when Ryan Bliss ripped a single to left field. Then, Michael Arroyo was hit by a pitch, loading the bases for Brock Rodden. The switch-hitting infielder drew a walk, bringing home Packard and evening the score at one.
The River Cats immediately retook the lead in the sixth inning. Scott Bandura drew a walk to lead off the frame and the next batter, Harber (4), pulled a two-run home run over the right field wall. His second long ball of the game put Sacramento ahead 3-1.
The Rainiers got within one in the home half of the sixth. Connor Joe walked to kickstart the inning and advanced to third when Jhonny Pereda and Victor Labrada grounded out. Then, Jakson Reetz laced a single into center field, plating Joe to make it 3-2.
The River Cats immediately got the run back in the top of the seventh inning as Thomas Gavello (6) hit a leadoff homer over the right field wall, reestablishing their two-run lead, 4-2.
Sacramento added on to their lead in the eighth inning. With two outs, Zach Morgan pounded a single back up the middle and moved into scoring position when Gavello reached on a fielding error. Then, Aeverson Arteaga ripped a double down the left field line, pushing Gavello up to third and scoring Morgan from second, making it 5-2. The next batter, Turner Hill, smacked a single into the right-center field gap, plating Morgan and Arteaga to extend the River Cats’ lead to five.
Tacoma was set down in order in the bottom of the ninth inning, falling 7-2 in the fifth game of the six-game set. The Rainiers look to end the series with a win Sunday afternoon. RHP Gabe Mosser will toe the rubber for the second time this week with first pitch scheduled for 1:35 PM.
POSTGAME NOTES:
- LHP Jhonathan Díaz tossed a season-high 101 pitches in 5.2 innings of work Saturday, allowing three runs on four hits and two walks while striking out four…it’s Diaz first time breaking the century mark since June 22, 2024 against Las Vegas and the last time he threw 101 pitches in an outing was on June 16, 2024, in Round Rock.
- INF/OF Connor Joe reached safely in all four of his plate appearances Saturday night, finishing 2-for-2 with a pair of walks and a run scored…it’s the first time Joe has reached base in all four plate appearances this season, becoming the eighth Rainiers hitter this season to reach safely all four-or-more times in one game.
- Tacoma recorded an outfield assist for the second consecutive contest Saturday, the first time doing so this season…it’s the first time the Rainiers outfield has accomplished the feat since recording an assist in three straight games from September 14-17, 2025.