EL PASO AT TACOMA

Preview

TACOMA, Wash. (Interstat) — The El Paso Chihuahuas and Tacoma Rainiers, both seeking to break early-season deadlocks, conclude their four-game series at Cheney Stadium on Thursday.

Both clubs enter with identical 1-2 records. The series is tied 1-1 after El Paso’s 6-4 victory on Tuesday and a pitchers’ duel Wednesday that resulted in a 0-0 final, as reflected in the most recent head-to-head results.

The Chihuahuas will send left-hander Jhonathan Díaz to the mound. El Paso’s offense will look to build on its performance from Tuesday’s win, fueled by catcher Rodolfo Durán, who went 2 for 4 with a home run and three RBIs. A player to watch for El Paso is pitcher JP Sears, who earned the win in that game with a solid five-inning start, allowing two earned runs on five hits.

Tacoma will counter with right-hander Gunner Mayer. A player to watch for the Rainiers, Mayer provided a bright spot in Tuesday’s loss with 1 1/3 scoreless innings of relief, striking out three. The Rainiers’ offense was led in that game by designated hitter Patrick Wisdom, who homered.

Both bullpens have shown strength. For El Paso, Alek Jacob pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings Tuesday, while Tacoma’s Domingo Gonzalez struck out the side in a perfect inning the same day.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, the projection favors Tacoma in a narrow 5-4 final.

Following Thursday’s contest, the two teams will not meet again in the regular season. The Chihuahuas continue their road trip with three more games in Tacoma through Sunday before hosting the Albuquerque Isotopes for a six-game homestand starting April 7. The Rainiers will host El Paso through the weekend before embarking on a six-game road series against the Sugar Land Space Cowboys beginning April 7.

First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. PDT.