Big Inning Spoils Great Day on the Mound
June 23, 2015 - Northwest League (NWL1)
Eugene Emeralds News Release
With 17 strikeouts, 5 hits given up and just 2 runs scored through 7 innings, it was safe to say the Eugene Emeralds pitching staff was on their game against the Everett AquaSox Monday night at Everett Memorial Stadium in Everett.
But, unfortunately for the Emeralds, that is why they play 9 innings. Everett singled to start the eighth inning and kept getting on base. A night after they put 9 runs on the board in one inning, the AquaSox scored 6 in the frame and went from down by 2 runs to up by 4 to defeat the Ems 8-4.
"You take away two innings and it's a different scenario going home 3-2, but shoulda, woulda, coulda" Emeralds manager Gary Van Tol said. "We're not going to worry about this too much longer. We'll get on the road and get home safe and sound and be ready for our home opener tomorrow."
Eugene (1-4) found itself down in the third inning after starter Andin Diaz gave up a 2-run homerun to Logan Taylor. Diaz was effectively wild in his start, going 4 innings while striking out 8 and walking 4 while leaving at least one baserunner in every inning except the fourth, including the bases loaded in the first.
Jordan Brink came in for Diaz after that and shut the AquaSox down, giving up just 1 hit and striking out 6 in 2 innings pitched. Dillon Maples came in after that and struck out the side in the seventh to give the Ems pitching staff 17 strikeouts in the game and the AquaSox reeling to find answers.
"We were right where we wanted to be," Van Tol said, his team leading 4-2 going into the eighth. "Bullpen did an outstanding job. Maples first inning was lights out, and then gives up a hit and two hit batters and a bases clearing double. It happens fast."
Before that it had appeared the Ems were in good shape to take home the victory. Trailing 2-0 thanks to the Taylor homer did not stop the Emeralds from fighting back.
Alberto Mineo walked to leaf-off the fifth inning before Adonis Paula singled to bring up Ricardo Marcano. Marcano turned on a 2-1 pitch and put it off the right field wall, where it rattled around in the corner allowing both runners to score and Marcano to get a triple to even the score at 2-2.
Kevonte Mitchell then drove a ball to center field that was caught, but was deep enough to allow Marcano to tag and score, breaking the tie and giving the Ems a 3-2 lead.
They would add another run in the sixth after Varonex Cuevas walked with 2 outs and Mineo singled to bring up Paula, who came through with a RBI single to make it a 4-2 ball game.
With 17 strikeouts, 5 hits given up and just 2 runs scored through 7 innings, it was safe to say the Eugene Emeralds pitching staff was on their game against the Everett AquaSox Monday night at Everett Memorial Stadium in Everett.
But, unfortunately for the Emeralds, that is why they play 9 innings. Everett singled to start the eighth inning and kept getting on base. A night after they put 9 runs on the board in one inning, the AquaSox scored 6 in the frame and went from down by 2 runs to up by 4 to defeat the Ems 8-4.
"You take away two innings and it's a different scenario going home 3-2, but shoulda, woulda, coulda" Emeralds manager Gary Van Tol said. "We're not going to worry about this too much longer. We'll get on the road and get home safe and sound and be ready for our home opener tomorrow."
Eugene (1-4) found itself down in the third inning after starter Andin Diaz gave up a 2-run homerun to Logan Taylor. Diaz was effectively wild in his start, going 4 innings while striking out 8 and walking 4 while leaving at least one baserunner in every inning except the fourth, including the bases loaded in the first.
Jordan Brink came in for Diaz after that and shut the AquaSox down, giving up just 1 hit and striking out 6 in 2 innings pitched. Dillon Maples came in after that and struck out the side in the seventh to give the Ems pitching staff 17 strikeouts in the game and the AquaSox reeling to find answers.
"We were right where we wanted to be," Van Tol said, his team leading 4-2 going into the eighth. "Bullpen did an outstanding job. Maples first inning was lights out, and then gives up a hit and two hit batters and a bases clearing double. It happens fast."
Before that it had appeared the Ems were in good shape to take home the victory. Trailing 2-0 thanks to the Taylor homer did not stop the Emeralds from fighting back.
Alberto Mineo walked to leaf-off the fifth inning before Adonis Paula singled to bring up Ricardo Marcano. Marcano turned on a 2-1 pitch and put it off the right field wall, where it rattled around in the corner allowing both runners to score and Marcano to get a triple to even the score at 2-2.
Kevonte Mitchell then drove a ball to center field that was caught, but was deep enough to allow Marcano to tag and score, breaking the tie and giving the Ems a 3-2 lead.
They would add another run in the sixth after Varonex Cuevas walked with 2 outs and Mineo singled to bring up Paula, who came through with a RBI single to make it a 4-2 ball game.
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