Rainiers power past Aviators in Washington
TACOMA, Wash. — Jose Lobaton socked a pair of three-run home runs, leading the Tacoma Rainiers to a 9-3 Pacific Coast League victory over the Aviators on Thursday night at Cheney Stadium.
Lobaton’s first blast highlighted a five-run third inning in which the Rainiers (48-50) snapped a scoreless tie.
Tim Lopes drove in a run with a double and another run scored on Ryan Court’s sacrifice fly before Lobaton’s homer.
Lobaton’s second blast in the seventh, his 12th home run, extended the Rainiers’ lead to 9-3.
Mark Payton continued his torrid stretch for the Aviators (56-42), hitting a three-run homer, his 17th, in the fifth.
Payton is 12-for-33 (.364) over his last 11 games with seven home runs and 15 RBIs.
The victory gave Tacoma a split in the four-game series.
The Aviators, 10-5 in July, start a three-game series Friday at Salt Lake.
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