Rainiers score 25 RUNS (no typo)

The Mariners lost on a walk-off in extras last night. What else is new? Meanwhile, the Tacoma Rainiers had quite the offensive night down in Colorado Springs Wednesday. The Rainiers beat the Sky Sox 25-6 in what was described on the radio by Aaron Goldsmith as a “hitters park.” You think so?

Here’s a look at some of the notable performances from the bloodbath:

The happy totals

• Let’s start with Dustin Ackley. Five-for-six, three RBI, four runs scored, two walks, and a home run. This is the same player who had 19 straight hitless at-bats at the major league level as of Sunday. Baseball simply defies explanation sometimes.
• How about Abraham Almonte? He’s the “throw-in” player the Mariners acquired from the Yankees for Shawn Kelley this offseason. Almonte went 6-for-6 with two RBI, four runs scored and a walk. All six were singles, which is maybe more impressive than bad. His average in Tacoma is now up to a ridiculous .515. That’s a hell of a throw-in player. Thanks, Yankees!
• Future big league shortstop Brad Miller checked in with a three-run homer of the batter’s eye in centerfield. Both Miller and Eric Thames drove in a team-high six runs, more than Colorado Spring scored.
• The other Rainiers home run came from super-utility man Nate Tenbrink who checked in with four hits, RBI and runs scored of his own.
• Every Rainier starter recorded at least TWO hits. Every starter also scored a run.
• Jesus Montero, who caught the game, went 2-for-5 with three runs scored. He’s hitting .250 in AAA.
• The Rainiers scored all 25 runs in the first six innings. They went scoreless in innings seven through nine.
• How about the pitching? Well Rainier’s starter Andrew Carraway pitched six innings of two run, six hit ball to improve to 6-1 with a 2.98 ERA on the year (fifth starter, anyone?). He also didn’t complain about run support.
• As for the Sky Sox pitchers, the numbers weren’t pretty. The most ghastly line either belongs to former major league starter Chris Volstad or reliever Michael Solbach. Volstad’s line: 2.1 IP, 12 H, 11 R (10 earned), 1 BB, 0 K. Solbach’s: .2 IP, 7 H, 7 R (all earned), 2 BB, 0 K. Both are atrocious, and neither will likely see the majors any time soon.