Saunders paces Rainiers’ rout of 51s
Michael Saunders went 5-for-5 with two home runs and four RBIs to lead the Tacoma Rainiers to a 12-1 win over the 51s in a Pacific Coast League game Saturday night in Tacoma, Wash.
Saunders hit a two-run homer and Wily Mo Pena a solo shot in the first inning for the Rainiers (53-55), who finished with an 18-7 edge in hits. Saunders added a two-run shot in Tacoma's six-run third.
Jose Yepez and Kyle Seager each had a double and two singles, with Yepez driving in three runs, for the Rainiers.
Tacoma starter Chris Seddon (7-5) held Las Vegas (54-54) to one run on seven hits and three walks in five innings and struck out seven. Jarrett Grube pitched three hitless innings to earn a save.
The Rainiers (53-55) tagged 51s starter Scott Richmond for nine earned runs on 11 hits and one walk in four innings.
Two outfielders -- Jason Lane and Danny Perales -- pitched the final four innings for Las Vegas. Lane gave up three runs on six hits and one walk and struck out five in three innings. Perales gave up a leadoff triple to Matt Tuiasosopo in the eighth but held Tacoma scoreless. He struck out two and walked one.
David Cooper went 2-for-4 with an RBI single in the third and his PCL-leading 42nd double in the fifth for the 51s.
