Frogs' 5-Run Comeback Halted by Homer
July 17, 2011 - Northwest League (NWL1)
Everett AquaSox News Release
EVERETT, Wash. -- After rallying back from a 5-0 deficit to tie the game in the eighth inning, the Everett AquaSox (12-17) gave up a ninth inning pinch-hit home run that halted all hopes of a comeback and gave the Spokane Indians (15-14) the win to even the series by a score of 7-5.
Spokane's Jorge Alfaro came into the game with one man on replacing catcher Brett Nicholas, who came into the night second in the Northwest League in total RBIs, and smashed a two-run shot to dead center field off Sox reliever Nolan Diaz.
The Indians built the 5-0 lead by returning the favor of early offense to the Frogs, who had outscored Spokane 11-0 in the first inning in the series, when Sox starter Jordan Shipers (0-4, 5.16 ERA) walked the first two batters to start the game and center-fielder Zachary Cone homered to left field to make it 3-0.
Shipers calmed down after allowing the home run to force a pop out for the first out, then Shipers went on to strike out the next six batters consecutively. After Shipers left the game, the Indians added two more runs in the top of the fifth to make it 5-0 on a single by Edwin Garcia and a fielder's choice by Nicholas with the bases loaded.
Everett capitalized on five total errors by the Indians to storm back in the game, with three runs in the bottom of the sixth made possible by two errors and a balk. Catcher Mike Dowd, left-fielder James Wood and center-fielder Jarrett Burgess each knocked in a run in the inning. The AquaSox scored a run in the seventh on a triple by designated hitter Jabari Blash and third baseman Danny Lopez tied the game with a bloop single in the eighth, but all the effort went for not.
The Frogs will look to wrap up their first home series win when they send out left-hander Bennett Whitmore (2-2, 4.63 ERA) against newest Indian right-hander Nicholas McBride (0-0, 0.00 ERA) in rubber match of the five-game series at 1:05 p.m.
Northwest League Stories from July 17, 2011
- Bears Blasted in Homestand Finale - Yakima Bears
- Walk-Off Homer Seals Sox First Home Series Win - Everett AquaSox
- McQuail's Home Run Downs Hawks - Boise Hawks
- Frogs' 5-Run Comeback Halted by Homer - Everett AquaSox
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