Emeralds Drop Heart-Breaker to Everett
July 2, 2023 - Northwest League (NWL)
Eugene Emeralds News Release
The Eugene Emeralds dropped game 4 by a final score of 4-2 against the AquaSox. The Emeralds now sit a game above .500 with a record of 37-36. They are 3-4 to start the 2nd half and sit 2.5 games out of first place in the Northwest League.
It was a dominant pitching performance for both ball clubs tonight as both teams were held scoreless through the first six innings. The starter for Eugene, Jack Choate, was fantastic on the bump. It was his 2nd start as an Emerald. He pitched 4 innings and allowed just 1 base hit and struck out 2 batters. He was working quickly on the bump and was efficient in his pitch count. Sam Delaplane came in for relief of Choate. It was Delaplane's Emeralds debut and he had a strong showing as he went 2 innings and allowed just 1 hit and struck out 3 batters.
The scoring got started in the bottom of the 7th inning when Alberto Rodriguez hit a 1-out solo home run to give Everett the 1-0 lead. Through 4 games Alberto has 8 hits with 7 of them being base hits. It was his 11th home run of the season and 7 of those home runs have come against Eugene.
The Emeralds responded in a big way in the 8th inning. Carter Howell led the inning off with a 4 pitch walk and was able to advance to 2nd on a passed ball. Donovan Walton grounded out and that brought up Victor Bericoto with 1-out. He was able to crush a home run out to right field for his 2nd home run of the series and his team-leading 16th home run of the season. Bericoto had 8 home runs in the month of June and he picked up right where he left off. The Emeralds held the 2-1 lead heading into the 8th inning.
The bottom of the 8th is where things fell apart for Eugene. Mike Salvatore led the inning off with a double and Blake Rambusch followed it up with a single. The lineup rolled over to the top for Everett and Victor Labrada was able to draw a 5 pitch walk to load up the bases for Harry Ford. Ford popped out to shallow left field and no runners tagged up. That brought up the dangerous Alberto Rodriguez. On a 1-1 count Standlee missed his spot with a breaking ball and Rodriguez wore it on the leg to bring home the game tying run. The next batter, Hogan Windish, struck out for the 2nd out of the inning.
That brought up Axel Sanchez in a bases loaded, tied up ballgame with 2-outs. He was able to single on an infield hit to score both Rambusch and Labrada and give Everett the 4-2 lead. Ben Ramirez grounded out to end the inning. The Emeralds had a chance to escape the inning after giving up 1-run, but a clutch infield hit gave Everett the lead.
In the bottom of the 9th Aeverson Arteaga hit a shot to left field, but left-fielder Randy Bednar made a diving play for a big out. The next two batters went down swinging for Eugene to end the game as they dropped game 4 by a final score of 4-2.
The Emeralds now trail in the series by a count of 3-1 against Everett. They'll look to rattle off two straight wins if they want to leave Everett with a series split against the AquaSox. They'll be back in action tomorrow night with first pitch set for 7:05 P.M. Right-handed pitcher Nick Sinacola will be on the bump for the Ems.
Northwest League Stories from July 2, 2023
- Late Rally Comes up Short for C's - Vancouver Canadians
- Patiño Sets Record, Lin Dazzles in Shutout Win - Hillsboro Hops
- Schaeffer Shuts Down Emeralds, Delivers 4-2 Win - Everett AquaSox
- Dust Devils Shut Down by Hops' Sterling Southpaw - Tri-City Dust Devils
- Emeralds Drop Heart-Breaker to Everett - Eugene Emeralds
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