Boise balks, Frogs win

EVERETT — Time after time, the AquaSox successfully played catch-up. Then, after struggling to break through, they gladly accepted a game-changing gift.

The AquaSox took their first lead Tuesday in the eighth inning when Boise pitcher Ryan Sontag’s balk allowed Mario Martinez to score. The odd sequence was the key play in Everett’s 6-4 victory over the Hawks in a Northwest League baseball game at Everett Memorial Stadium.

Everett’s Trevor Coleman was waiting on deck when home plate umpire Javier Cantu called the balk. Coleman didn’t see what happened but loved the result, which helped the AquaSox (27-17) win their third consecutive game and move within three games of first-place Salem-Keizer (30-14) in the West Division.

“I didn’t see (the balk),” said Coleman, Everett’s catcher. “I actually had my head down when I heard the umpire yell, ‘Time.’ I knew what that meant and looked up.”

Did it feel weird to go ahead on a freebie? “It doesn’t matter,” Coleman said. In other words, any win is a good win.

After the balk put the AquaSox on top 5-4, Coleman padded Everett’s lead with a two-out double that drove in Ben Billingsley. It was a confidence-boosting hit for Coleman, who came into the game hitting .157 (8 for 51).

“That’s my first real late-game RBI hit. Hopefully I can keep that momentum going,” Coleman said.

Reliever Daniel Cooper ended it, striking out both hitters he faced after Boise (18-26) got two men on against Jose Rios. Cooper earned his eighth save.

Everett would not have been within striking distance without Matt Cerione, who made a superb transition to the leadoff spot. Cerione was a perfect 4-for-4 with two solo home runs. He moved to the No. 1 spot in the lineup after Ryan Royster was promoted to Class A Clinton Monday.

“I just had a good night,” said Cerione. “I’m happy we won and I’m happy to be in the lineup: First, ninth, middle. It doesn’t matter where the coach puts me. I’m just happy to be in the lineup everyday and just playing.”

Another bright spot for the AquaSox: Martinez extended his single-season franchise-record hit streak to 19 games. After starting 0-for-3 with two strikeouts, Martinez doubled in the eighth inning and scored the winning run.

Both leadoff hitters — Boise’s Hak-Ju Lee and Everett’s Cerione — smacked homers in the first inning. Lee’s shot was his first home run of the season, in his 156th at-bat. He drilled Chris Kirkland’s fourth pitch of the game into the netting beyond the wall in right-center field.

Cerione tied it at 1-1, hitting the fifth pitch from Boise starter Su-Min Jung deep into the grass area beyond the right-field fence.

Aided by a dropped fly ball and erratic Boise pitching, Everett matched Boise’s two runs in the fourth inning. Boise scored again in the fifth, hitting three singles en route to one run and a 4-3 lead. But Cerione didn’t let the Hawks enjoy their edge.

Just like he did in the first inning, Cerione smashed a leadoff homer. This time the victim was reliever Trey McNutt. Cerione’s second blast of the game, and third of the season, soared high above the scoreboard in right, tying it at 4-4.

Before Everett took its first lead, Cantu, the home-plate umpire, ejected AquaSox manager John Tamargo for arguing following an altercation after the seventh inning.

Herald Writer Mike Cane: mcane@heraldnet.com.