ROUND ROCK, TX (September 20, 2026) — It was a low-scoring affair in the season finale on Sunday afternoon at Dell Diamond. Stuart Fairchild provided a go-ahead single in the ninth inning as the Tacoma Rainiers (39-36/72-78) closed out the 2026 season with a 3-2 victory over the Round Rock Express (42-33/73-77).
The Express got the scoring started in the bottom of the second inning. Michael Helman worked a leadoff walk, advanced to second base on a groundout and scored on an RBI single by Jonah Bride to give Round Rock an early 1-0 lead.
The Rainiers countered in the top of the fifth inning, manufacturing a pair of runs for the lead. Stuart Fairchild and Victor Labrada each laid down bunt singles and then pulled off a double steal to get into scoring position. Ryan Bliss tied the game with a sacrifice fly, then Leo Rivas put Tacoma on top with an infield single that deflected off the pitcher John King to take a 2-1 lead.
Cam Cauley (16) led off the bottom of the sixth inning with a solo home run to tie the game at two.
Carson Fulmer put together a strong start, allowing just two runs over 6.0 innings of work. He was able to strand runners on base in each of his last five frames, marking the third consecutive game Tacoma’s starting pitcher logged a quality start.
Dane Dunning made his first appearance since being activated from the Injured List, coming out of the bullpen for the seventh inning. The right-hander worked around a two-out walk to Orlando Martinez, who was caught stealing to end the inning.
Tied at two into the top of the ninth inning, the Rainiers got the first two batters aboard. Connor Joe lifted a double into the left-center gap and Nolan Jones walked. With one out, Stuart Fairchild ripped a single passed the third baseman Keyber Rodriguez, bringing in Joe to give Tacoma a 3-2 lead.
Tacoma turned to Nick Garcia in the bottom of the ninth. After giving up a leadoff single, Garcia sat down the next three hitters, capped off by a diving catch by Joe in right field to end the game and give Tacoma a 3-2 victory to close out the 2026 season.
The Rainiers open the 2027 season on Friday, March 26 at Cheney Stadium against the Las Vegas Aviators.
POSTGAME NOTES:
- Tacoma’s win in the season finale marked the third consecutive season they have ended the regular season with a victory…the win also marked the first time Tacoma won a season finale on the road since beating El Paso 5-4 on September 3, 2018.
- OF Nolan Jones recorded an outfield assist in the second inning of Sunday’s game, his third with Tacoma…Tacoma’s 17 outfield assists since the start of July are the second-most in Triple-A, trailing only Albuquerque’s 18.
- RHP Carson Fulmer recorded a quality start in the season finale, allowing two earned runs over 6.0 innings of work…the quality start was Tacoma’s third in a row, marking the second time the Rainiers have strung together three quality starts (also: June 7-10)…the Rainiers are one of just two PCL teams to record three consecutive quality starts this year, joined by Round Rock…Tacoma is one of two Triple-A teams to record two streaks of three quality starts, joining Lehigh Valley…the quality start was Tacoma’s 39th of the season, the most in the minor leagues.
- RHP Nick Garcia finished the game with a scoreless ninth inning, earning his fifth save of the season…Garcia’s appearance was his 43rd of the season (two with Arkansas, 41 with Tacoma), marking a new career-high…Garcia finishes the season without allowing a run in 23 of his final 27 appearances…Garcia’s 2.57 ERA with Tacoma was the best in the PCL among pitchers with at least 35 appearances.