Space Cowboys Fall to Rainiers Despite Rehab Appearances and Bastidas' Hot Bat

Written by MAi' Ghen Storm, SFL Writer | Photo by Kane McKinney, SFL Photographer

The Sugar Land Space Cowboys (12-13, 51-49) kicked off their series against the Tacoma Rainiers (20-8, 58-45) with an 8-5 defeat on Tuesday night at Constellation Field. The game saw Major League rehab appearances from Astros infielder Jeremy Peña and right-handed pitcher Shawn Dubin, while Jesús Bastidas extended his impressive hitting streak.

Tacoma jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the first inning, highlighted by a two-run homer from Harry Ford. Sugar Land quickly responded in the bottom of the first when Jacob Hurtubise walked, stole second, and was driven in by Bastidas's two-out RBI double, making it 3-1.

Space Cowboys starter Tyler Ivey (L, 2-9) settled in after the rocky first, striking out the side in the second and pitching a scoreless third. However, the Rainiers extended their lead with three more runs in the fourth after loading the bases with no outs.

Dubin made his first rehab appearance in the top of the sixth, recording two outs and a strikeout before being relieved by Michael Knorr, who finished the inning but allowed an inherited runner to score. In the bottom of the sixth, Peña was hit by a pitch, and later in the inning, Colin Barber blasted a two-run homer to right field, cutting the deficit to 7-3.

Tacoma added another run in the seventh, but Sugar Land answered with two runs of their own. Hurtubise and Peña drew back-to-back walks with two outs, setting the stage for Logan Davidson's RBI single and Bastidas's RBI base hit up the middle, bringing the Space Cowboys within three at 8-5.

Sugar Land threatened in the eighth with singles from Tommy Sacco Jr. and Kenedy Corona, but a failed bunt attempt ended the inning. The Space Cowboys were held scoreless in the ninth, ultimately falling 8-5.