AquaSox Snap Skid with 11-5 Win over Dust Devils
Published on July 6, 2014 under Northwest League (NWL1)
Everett AquaSox News Release
EVERETT, Wash . - The Everett AquaSox salvaged the final game of their Fourth of July weekend, beating the Tri-City Dust Devils 11-5 in a back-and-forth game at Everett Memorial Stadium Sunday.
After managing just three runs in the first two games of the series, Sunday's series finale witnessed an outburst of offense by the AquaSox, as Everett matched its season high with 11 runs and picked up 13 hits. But the decisive moment actually came in the fifth inning when, with the AquaSox clinging to a one-run lead, Tri-City had the bases loaded. Reliever Leoncio Munoz induced an inning-ending popup and the Everett offense added plenty of insurance runs to put the game out of reach and secure the win, the 'Sox first victory at home since Opening Day.
The first four innings saw a tie and three lead changes. Tri-City struck for two runs in the first when a single by Cesar Galvez, walk to Josh Fuentes, and base hit by Francisco Sosa loaded the bases. A wild pitch brought home Galvez and a sacrifice fly by Ryan Garvey scored Fuentes. Everett answered with three runs in the home half of the inning. Austino Cousino got things started with his second homer of the season, a solo shot to right. Adam Martin followed Cousino with a double and Corey Simpson walked. After a balk put the runners at second and third, Kyle Petty hit a two-RBI double down the left field line to give the 'Sox a 3-2 lead.
The AquaSox added a run in the third when Martin drew a leadoff walk and moved to second on a single by Simpson before scoring on a single by Phillips Castillo. Castillo picked up his team-leading twelfth RBI and has reached base safely in 14 straight contests since June 22.
Roberto Ramos tied the game at 4-4 in the fourth, however, with his second home run in as many nights. Ramos' two-run homer to right off Noel De La Cruz cleared everything as the Dust Devils first baseman crushed the ball completely out of the park.
But the AquaSox immediately broke the tie in the bottom half of the fourth. Jordan Cowan reached on an infield single and stole second before Chris Mariscal singled to put runners at the corners. The next batter, Cousino, lined out to third, but the Dust Devils attempted to back-pick Mariscal at first. Third baseman Shane Hoelscher threw the ball away, allowing Cowan to score the go-ahead run. A walk to Martin and a wild pitch moved Mariscal to third. He would score on Simpson's single through the right side of the infield to push the 'Sox lead to 6-4.
Tri-City pulled within one in the fifth, but missed the opportunity to tie or take the lead. Jordan Parris drew a leadoff walk and Galvez singled, and the runners advanced to second and third on a wild pitch by Noel De La Cruz with Fuentes at the plate. Fuentes then grounded a ball to third, where Taylor Smart first attempted to tag Parris. By the time he changed his mind and threw to first, Fuentes had reached safely to load the bases with one out. The next batter, Sosa, then lined a soft single to left to score Parris and cut the lead to 6-5. But De La Cruz got Garvey to fly out before Munoz came on to record the third out of the inning, stranding the tying and go-ahead runs on base.
Everett would add a run in fifth and seventh, and three more in the eighth to lock down just their second win in ten games and snap a nine-game home losing streak. Petty, who was 2-4 with four RBI, belted a majestic home run to center off of Carlos Yan in the fifth, his first of 2014. In the seventh, Taylor Smart singled and went to third on a single by Cowan. He would score after Tri-City catcher Jairo Roasrio threw the ball into left field after the 'Sox failed to execute a squeeze play.
Everett would then break the game open in the eighth on a sacrifice fly by Petty and a two-run single by Smart. The Dust Devils loaded the bases in the top of the ninth, but Hawtin Buchanan recorded the final two outs of the ballgame.
Cousino and Martin extended a pair of streaks Sunday. Cousino went 1-5 and is on an eight-game home hitting streak. By collecting two hits in three at-bats, Martin extended his hitting streak to eight games, matching the team-best streak put together by Chris Mariscal earlier this season. Martin is 15 for his last 31 (.484).
Both teams had to rely on their bullpens Sunday, as neither starter lasted long in the game.
Lukas Schiraldi, son of former Red Sox pitcher Calvin Schiraldi, got the start for Everett and made his professional debut, but only lasted one inning before giving way to De La Cruz. Logan Sawyer got his first start for Tri-City after Sunday's scheduled starter, Tyler Gagnon, was called up to Class-A Advanced Modesto late Saturday. Sawyer gave up four runs in 2.2 innings for the Dust Devils.
The teams combined to use 11 pitchers.
The AquaSox improved to 6-18 and have an off day Monday before welcoming their division rivals, the Vancouver Canadians, for a three-game series starting Tuesday at 7:05.
17-year-old lefty Luiz Gohara (0-1, 19.29) is expected to get his second start for Everett. Jairo Labourt (1-1, 1.77) will take the mound for Vancouver. AquaSox 2014 season and individual game tickets are available now online at www.aquasox.com and by phone at 425-258-3673.
Northwest League Stories from July 6, 2014
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