Eugene’s bats cooled down significantly from Tuesday to Wednesday — after its 11-run showcase to open the series — so the key to victory On Thursday would have to be revving up the offense once again.
The Emeralds failed to do so, tallying just a pair of runs in their 3-2 loss.
Aided by righty Manuel Mercedes on the bump, the first inning forecasted a pitcher’s duel at PK Park after 1-2-3 shutdowns from each pitcher.
Everett trotted out righty Marcelo Perez, who matched Mercedes’ dominance in the opening inning.
Mercedes could not continue his positive work into the second inning, as he surrendered hits to the first three batters of the frame — all singles — to drive in the opening run for the AquaSox off the bat of Bill Knight.
A sac-fly to center advanced the runners, and a slow chopper to Mercedes did the trick to score the second run. The Ems got themselves out of the inning, but early on, it became clear that Eugene’s hitting would make or break the ballgame.
It unfortunately broke the game for the Ems, as the bullpen proved sufficient enough to give Eugene enough opportunity to tie or win the game in the late innings.
Mercedes (2-4) was credited with the loss after his 4.2 IP, seven hits, three earned runs and just two strikeouts. The bullpen bailed the team out, as it didn’t earn a single run, but the Emeralds couldn’t consistently hit on Thursday.
Perez (2-3) got his second win of the season after a stellar 5.1 IP with just five hits and one earned.
Everett always seemed to be able to generate more offense than Eugene, which Mercedes’ pitching did nothing to mitigate.
The fielding stepped up to the moment as Rodolfo Nolasco saved two or three runs with an excellent grab in left-center with two outs and the bases loaded in the top of the fourth.
Eugene’s woes persisted in the bottom of that inning, however, as Perez found no issue quieting the Emeralds’ offense.
Through four innings, the Emeralds hit just twice compared to the AquaSox’ five hits to that point.
The day got worse in the fifth as Mercedes’ off-speed arsenal became increasingly ineffective — culminating in a Brock Rodden pulled swing to right field.
The ball landed on the exact corner where the top of the wall meets the foul pole in right, and looked foul to the naked eye. However, the umps initially called a fair ball in-play and Rodden started rounding the bases.
As soon as he got to second, the outfield umpire signaled that he changed his call to make it a home run. Eugene’s dugout did not receive that warmly, but even after protest, the call stood and the Everett lead extended to three.
Lefty Tommy Kane relieved Mercedes that same inning, and made quick work of the lone batter he faced.
The Emeralds finally started up the bats in the bottom of the sixth, as a string of hits set up an easy RBI single for Justin Wishkoski and put the Ems on the board.
Everett responded by pulling Perez, and righty Stefan Raeth mowed down the next two batters with ease to maintain the AquaSox’ lead.
Onil Perez, whose hitting was one of the bright spots for Eugene tonight, pumped a double into left field in the seventh, which drove home another run for the Ems.
As they slowly chipped into the Everett lead, the Emeralds’ defense shined through and made some incredible outs to keep it close.
It simply wasn’t enough, however, as the Everett bullpen shut down the Eugene bats by the end of the contest. RHP Jimmy Kingsbury got the save, and gave the Ems no chance at a late comeback.
The Ems kept it as close as possible, but it just wasn’t meant to be, and the squad will come back at the same time on Friday to get a win back in the series.
