NWL Eugene Emeralds

Ems Fall in Everett to Drop First Series of Season

Published on June 13, 2021 under Northwest League (NWL)
Eugene Emeralds News Release


EVERETT, WA - The Ems offense struck first for the fourth time in five games in Everett. Problem was, though, the Everett offense immediately responded, and then some, as the Eugene Emeralds (20-15) were handed a 6-1 defeat by the Everett AquaSox (21-14) on Saturday night at Funko Field.

THE DETAILS:

Winning Pitcher: George Kirby (2-1, 2.25 ERA): 5.0 IP | 4 H | 1 R | 1 ER | 0 BB | 3 K

Losing Pitcher: Aaron Phillips (1-3, 5.89 ERA): 4.2 IP | 9 H | 5 R | 5 ER | 2 BB | 1 K

Save: N/A

HR(s): Eugene: N/A | Everett: Austin Shenton (5)

HOW IT HAPPENED: Fresh off a 4-3 win the night prior that seemed to shoot life into the road-weary Ems, Eugene jumped out to the game's first lead in the second thanks to a pair of two-out extra-base hits. Tyler Fitzgerald came up with two down in the second and roped his second double in as many games down the left field line, and Franklin Labour followed with a triple to deep left-center field, his first triple of the season, scoring Fitzgerald and putting the Ems up early, 1-0.

As has been a common theme in the series thus far, though, when the Emeralds offense scores, the AquaSox offense typically responds.

That was the case in the home half of the second as eight Everett batters came to the plate and four ultimately came in to score as the AquaSox carried a 4-1 lead into the third.

Everett added another in the fifth on an RBI groundout that scored a run from third, and Austin Shenton made it 6-1 in the seventh with a solo shot to right field, his fifth homer of the season.

The five-run margin proved more than enough for the AquaSox pitching staff as the Emeralds struggled at the dish all night, sending the minimum three batters to the plate in six of the nine innings while posting just four hits for the second consecutive night.

However, despite the loss and falling 1.5 games behind first place Everett in the High-A West standings, the Emeralds remain tied for second after Vancouver also lost on Saturday, falling 5-2 to Spokane.

The loss on Saturday seals what is the very first overall series loss of the season for the Emeralds, and it comes more than a month into the 2021 season.

Eugene will aim to end the two-week roadtrip on a high note on Sunday in Everett before returning home for a much-needed two-week homestand at PK Park.

PEAK PERFORMERS:

Franklin Labour - RF: Labour accounted for half of Eugene's hits on the evening, going 2-4 with his first triple of the season and an RBI.

John Timmins - RHP: Serving as the first man out of the bullpen for the Emeralds on Saturday, Timmins fired a solid 1.1 innings with no hits, one walk and two strikeouts, punching out the first and last batters he faced while showcasing a solid splitter.

WHAT'S NEXT: The Emeralds and Everett AquaSox face off again on Sunday at 1:05pm PST at Funko Field in the sixth and final game of a six-game series in Everett. You can listen live to all the action on 95.3FM The Score, via MiLB.com or on the MiLB app.

Rain is expected in the forecast on Sunday, so stay tuned to the Emeralds social media channels for updates prior to first pitch.

Information regarding tickets to Emeralds home games is available at www.EmeraldsBaseball.com or by calling (541) 342-5367.

Stay up to date with the Emeralds by following the team on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The Eugene Emeralds are the High-A West affiliate of Major League Baseball's San Francisco Giants. The Eugene Emeralds are dedicated to providing the best in family entertainment and won the Larry MacPhail Award in 2018, awarded to the club with the top promotional efforts in all of Minor League Baseball. For more information, please visit our website at www.EmeraldsBaseball.com or call the Emeralds front office at 541-342-5367.

Check out the Eugene Emeralds Statistics

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Northwest League Stories from June 13, 2021


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