Chihuahuas beat Tacoma 7-1 Thursday to even series at 1-1

EL PASO, Texas – Walker Lockett had an excellent start in the El Paso Chihuahuas’ 7-1 playoff victory over the Tacoma RainiersThursdayin Game 2 of the best-of-five series. The series is now tied 1-1, with the remaining games taking place in Tacoma.

Lockett pitched 6.1 innings and allowed only one run in his first professional playoff appearance. Diego Goris carried the Chihuahuas’ offense early, with RBI doubles in the second and fourth innings, producing three runs. Nick Noonan scored from third on an errant pickoff throw by Tacoma catcher Rob Brantly in the fifth, making the score 4-0 El Paso.

The Chihuahuas brought in three insurance runs in the sixth against incoming Tacoma reliever Zach Lee on an RBI triple by Franchy Cordero, Jose Rondon scoring on a wild pitch and an RBI single by Noonan.

Patrick Kivlehan went 1-for-3 with a stolen base and has compiled three steals in the first two games of the playoffs. Daniel Moskos and Derek Eitel both threw scoreless outings out of the bullpen in the win for El Paso.

Gameday Box Score:http://www.milb.com/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2016_09_08_tacaaa_elpaaa_1&mode=gameday

Team Records:Tacoma (1-1), El Paso (1-1)

Next Game:Fridayat 8:05 p.m. Pacific Coast League playoffs at Cheney Stadium. El Paso RHP Bryan Rodriguez (0-0, -.–) vs. Tacoma LHP Wade LeBlanc (0-0, -.–). Game coverage begins at 8:00 p.m. on 600 ESPN El Paso andwww.epchihuahuas.com.