Rainiers’ six-run ninth closes door on 51s

Friday, Sept. 2, 2005 | 10:21 a.m.

SUN WIRE SERVICES

PROBABLE STARTERS

-- Nick Christensen

Tacoma's first eight batters each had a hit during a six-run ninth inning as the Rainiers cruised to a 17-10 win in their Pacific Coast League game against the 51s on Thursday night at Cashman Field.

The key hits were Shin-Soo Choo's two-run double, Ramon Santiago's three-run homer and T.J. Bohn's RBI single.

Santiago, Abraham Nunez and Hunter Brown drove in three runs as the Rainiers (77-63) remained two games ahead of Salt Lake in the Pacific Coast League's Pacific North Division, with four games left.

Tacoma took a 3-0 lead in the first on Santiago's RBI single that followed leadoff man Choo's single and steal of second base and Brown's two-run homer.

Tacoma made it 5-0 in the second on Nunez's two-run single and 6-0 in the third on Ryan Christianson's solo homer.

The 51s (57-82) narrowed the score to 6-5 in the third Rotsen Gil's inning-opening homer, Nick Theodorou's one-run double, Cody Ross' RBI single and Jason Grabowski's two-run single.

Tacoma and Las Vegas each scored five runs over the next four innings, setting the stage for the Rainiers' big ninth inning.

T.J. Bohn Jr. went 4-for-6 with three runs scored and Tacoma pounded out 21 hits, stole five bases and went 12-for-27 with runners in scoring position.

Grabowski went 3-for-4 with two doubles, three RBIs and two runs scored to lead the 51s..

T.J. Nall (6-7) took the loss for the 51s, allowing eight runs on nine hits in 4 2/3 innings. The 51s bullpen then combined to allow nine runs over the remaining 4 1/3 innings.