The Everett AquaSox (13-20) defeated the Eugene Emeralds (19-14) 3-2 Tuesday night at PK Park to end the Emeralds’ four game winning streak. The loss, along with, Hillsboro’s and Boise’s wins, means the three teams are tied for the Nowrthwest League South Division lead.
Everett would score what would become the game-winning run in the ninth inning. Joseph Rosa (.295) who finished the game 3-for-5 with one run and one RBI, hit a fly ball that bounced off the diving Emeralds’ right fielder Brandon Hughes and rolled towards the line. It allowed for AquaSock Chris Torres to score from first.
“I think we played a pretty good game,” Emeralds manager Jesus Feliciano said. “Coming from a four-game winning streak, to lose a game like this, I can’t take anything from our team.”
The Emeralds waited but eventually broke Everett’s shutout in the eighth inning.
After a single, a walk and a sacrifice bunt the Emeralds had runners on second and third with one out. This time it was the AquaSox who made the sloppy mistake. Pitcher David Ellingson (9.90 ERA) threw past the catcher, allowing Kwang-Min Kwon to score a run.
During the same at-bat, Miguel Amaya (.216) singled down the middle to score Rafael Narea and tie the game at two.
An Emerald error gave Everett its first run of the game in the third inning. Rosa lined a ball that slowly rolled to the left field wall, it was relayed but on the throw to third Ems shortstop Narea sailed it straight into the Everett dugout. The error allowed Rosa to automatically advance home and give Everett the 1-0 lead.
Besides the error, the game was a pitching duel through seven innings. Emeralds pitcher Bailey Clark allowed one run and three hits through five innings of work.
The AquaSox added one run in the eighth inning.
With Chris Torres on first and no outs, Rosa bunted and Emeralds’ catcher Amaya overthrew the first baseman allowing Torres to reach third. Emerald pitcher Casey Ryan hit Eugene Helder on the first pitch to load the bases. One pitch later, Ryan hit Johnny Adams, and Torres waltzed to home plater for a 2-0 lead.
Emeralds reliever Brian Glowicki was given the loss for allowing the run in the ninth. Ellingson earned the win.
The Emeralds will finish the series with Everett Wednesday at PK Park at 7:05 p.m.
Follow Jack Butler on Twitter @Butler917