51s lose to Tacoma

With Gavin Cecchini, the leadoff runner aboard in the fourth inning down by one, the 51s looked like they might have an opportunity to tie the game.

But a fly-out caught Cecchini out of position and led to a double play, changing the complexion of the inning immediately.

One inning later, catcher Johnny Monell was also doubled up at first after going on a hit-and-run on a ball hit to the shortstop.

And like that, the 51s’ two best opportunities to scrape together a run off of Tacoma starter James Paxton fell by the wayside, and right after, the Rainiers broke the game wide open with 10 runs in the next three innings on their way to a 12-1 victory.

Las Vegas scored its only run on a T.J. Rivera home run in the first inning, but the Rainiers tied the game up right after off of starter Duane Below.

Below made a throwing error, allowing left fielder Daniel Robertson to reach base with two outs, and the next batter, Shawn O’Malley doubled him home.

An inning later, the Rainiers tacked on another run off of Below on a sacrifice fly and in the sixth, they got him for two more.

Below gave up four runs in his outing — three earned — and eight hits in 5 1/3 innings pitched.

“I thought Below pitched well enough for us to win,” manager Wally Backman said. “I think he gave up four runs, but we’re supposed to be able to score off those guys and we just weren’t able to do it today.”

After scoring six or more runs in the past five games, Paxton kept the 51s mostly quiet Sunday.

He allowed just the one run on five hits in six innings and his offense, one of the best in the Pacific Coast League, provided more than enough support, teeing off on Las Vegas’ bullpen.

Stolmy Pimentel, who came in after Below, gave up six runs in 2 1/3 innings, and Dario Alvarez gave up two runs in one-third of an inning, including a grand slam to Ed Lucas in the eighth inning.

“They’ve got to try to keep us in the game and they weren’t able to do that,” Backman said.

Betsy Helfand can be reached at bhelfand@reviewjournal.com. Follow on Twitter: @BetsyHelfand