MORE CLAY HUNTINGTON PROPS >>>

Before we begin the skullduggery and half-cocked baseball analysis that is the bi-weekly Rainiers Minute, we must take some time out to recognize the passing of Clay Huntington.

By all accounts, Tacoma baseball as we know it would not have been possible without Huntington. He helped bring the Pacific Coast League to Tacoma in the '60s. He saved the team from moving away in the early '70s. The radio station he owned, KLAY 1180, broadcast Rainiers' games for years.

While not having the knowledge or the skill to properly eulogize Huntington, we here at the Volcano can say this: Clay Huntington loved baseball and he loved Tacoma. He worked tirelessly for both. For this, he will definitely be missed.

Now back to the skullduggery.

The Rainiers (23-32) have lost three in a row to the Reno Aces. This is a bummer for any number of reasons. First, this puts the Rainiers 10 games behind the division leaders, the aforementioned Reno Aces. Second, this means the team's home record has once again taken a nosedive to 10-17. Not good, not good. And finally, three losses in a row also means the Rainiers are nine games under .500. Yep, that's right. Nine games.

Not exactly knocking on the door of back-to-back PCL championships, are we boys?

>>> Yesterday the Seattle Mariners sent struggling outfielder and resident tall man Michael Saunders down to the Rainiers. In exchange they called up Greg Halman. We here at the Weekly Volcano welcome this transition. Why? Because Saunders' nickname "The Condor" opens up all sorts of possibilities for us. Example. Watch out Carp! The Condor is coming in quick. And he looks hungry!   

>>> Thursday's game marked the comeback of leftie Nate Robertson. Robertson, who has major league experience, was recovering from an elbow surgery. In his first game back, Robertson pitched six innings, gave up six hits and three earned runs. While these numbers are seemingly pedestrian, we have to remember this is his first game back after having chips of bone removed from his body. Chips. Of. Bone.

>>> In other pedestrian news, tonight is fireworks night at Cheney Stadium. We call this pedestrian because it happens for every Friday home game. But really, who doesn't love fireworks?    

So yeah, the Rainiers try to salvage a game against the Aces tonight at 7:05. Be there or be square.

OH! Nearly forgot. Yesterday, our esteemed editor Matt "I tweet like it's going out of style" Driscoll interviewed Rainiers announcer Mike Curto. We don't want to give too much away as the interview will appear in an upcoming print issue of the rag, but here's a direct quote from Driscoll:

"Tacoma Rainiers radio announcer Mike Curto has been to a party with Nick Lachey and received bottle service."

Good stuff to be sure.  Until we read the interview, we can only guess why Curto was clubbing it up with Lachey. Our guess:

Lachey needed some lady advice. So he went to the guru.