51s Take Third Straight From Rainiers, 7-4

Boog Powell, Chris Taylor smack RBI doubles

1:12 AM EDT

LAS VEGAS, Nev. - The Tacoma Rainiers (11-11) dropped their fourth consecutive game, a 7-4 decision to the Las Vegas 51s (11-10), on Saturday night at Cashman Field.

Rainiers starting pitcher Cody Martin (3-2) surrendered six runs on eight hits in 4.1 innings of work while walking four and striking out six. He was relieved by Steve Johnson and Justin De Fratus, who combined to hold Las Vegas to one run on three hits over the final 3.2 frames.

Las Vegas worked their way on to the scoreboard first with a pair of runs in the bottom of the second inning. Brandon Nimmo roped a two-out double into right field to score Marc Krauss and Ty Kelly and hand the 51s a 2-0 lead.

The first five 51s to the plate in the bottom of the third reached base, pushing across two more runs for Las Vegas to extend their lead to 4-0.

The Rainiers cut the 51s lead in half with their first pair of runs in the top of the fourth inning. With the bases loaded and no outs, an RBI groundout by left fielder Mike Baxter and a sacrifice fly from catcher Rob Brantly pushed across two runs, making the score 4-2.

Center fielder Boog Powell and shortstop Chris Taylor notched back-to-back one-out RBI doubles in the top of the fifth inning to even the game at 4-4.

A two-run home run from Krauss capped off a three-run bottom of the firth for Las Vegas, giving them a 7-4 lead they would hold on to for their third consecutive victory over the Rainiers.

Tacoma and Las Vegas wrap up their four-game set tomorrow, Sunday, May 1 with first pitch set for 12:05 p.m. PT. Left-hander James Paxton (2-2, 4.08) gets the call for the Rainiers, while the 51s are scheduled to start lefty Duane Below (1-0, 5.25).

All tickets, group outings and suites packages for the 2016 season are available for purchase in-person at the Cheney Stadium Box Office, online at www.tacomarainiers.com, or over the phone at (253) 752-7707. The most up-to-date news and notes about the Rainiers throughout the season can be found by following the Rainiers on Twitter (@RainiersLand) or liking the team on Facebook.