Published: Saturday, August 27, 2011
AquaSox fall 6-5 to Yakima in 11 innings
EVERETT--Katy's Perry's "Firework" blared over the loud speakers at Everett Memorial Stadium before the bottom of the eighth inning of Saturday's game between the AquaSox and Yakima Bears.
The song wasn't played because the Frog's bats were so explosive in front of the crowd of 2,660, rather it was likely chosen as a plea for the fans to stick out the last two Everett trips to the plate so the final post-game fireworks show of the season wouldn't go off without an audience.
Trailing 5-0, the AquaSox started the show early, erupting with five runs to tie the game, but it wasn't enough to take the game as they fell 6-5 in 11 innings.
The team's fifth straight loss drops Everett (18-14 second half, 34-36 overall) out of a tie for first in the Northwest League Western Division standings. Eugene, which has won five in a row, defeated Spokane 5-1 to take over sole possession of first place. After being the hottest team in the league in early August, the Sox will need to heat up again with six games to play in order to make the postseason.
"Six games ago we could run a wining streak out there with anybody," manager Scott Steinmann said. "So we still have a lot in our control."
Up until the eighth inning it didn't look like the Frogs were capable of much. They looked lost at the plate, baffled by Bears starter Alex Capaul (2-2), who gave up just three hits and struck out four with no walks. Capaul's departure proved to be the lighting of the fuse of the Everett offense, which reeled off three-straight RBI hits after reliever Michael Blake loaded the bases with three walks--two coming with two outs.
Victor Acosta, who had a 1.69 ERA entering the game, relieved Blake and failed to record an out. Mario Yepez, who was 2-for-5 on the night, had the first hit of the inning, which scored two and barely fell in the middle of the Bears shortstop and the right and center fielders. Blash followed with his first hit of the game, an RBI-single up the middle, and Justin Albert relieved Acosta. After Ramon Morla walked, Jharmidy De Jesus singled, scoring Yepez and Blash. De Jesus and Morla then pulled off a double steal but Ethan Paquette fanned to end the rally.
Steinmann was proud of the way his team fought back.
"I like the way they fight," he said. "I like the way they are competing. Everyone of them cares."
The Bears got a walk and then Daniel Pulfer tripled to score the game winning RBI in the top of the 11th, saddling Tim Griffin (3-1) with his first loss of the year. Albert (5-1) gave up his first blown save for Yakima, but picked up the win.
The teams conclude the five-game series today at 4:05 pm with the final regular season home contest of the year. The Frogs hope the eighth inning spark carries over into today's game.
"Just thinking about getting a W," Steinmann said. We have to go out there and not talk about it just get it done."
The song wasn't played because the Frog's bats were so explosive in front of the crowd of 2,660, rather it was likely chosen as a plea for the fans to stick out the last two Everett trips to the plate so the final post-game fireworks show of the season wouldn't go off without an audience.
Trailing 5-0, the AquaSox started the show early, erupting with five runs to tie the game, but it wasn't enough to take the game as they fell 6-5 in 11 innings.
The team's fifth straight loss drops Everett (18-14 second half, 34-36 overall) out of a tie for first in the Northwest League Western Division standings. Eugene, which has won five in a row, defeated Spokane 5-1 to take over sole possession of first place. After being the hottest team in the league in early August, the Sox will need to heat up again with six games to play in order to make the postseason.
"Six games ago we could run a wining streak out there with anybody," manager Scott Steinmann said. "So we still have a lot in our control."
Up until the eighth inning it didn't look like the Frogs were capable of much. They looked lost at the plate, baffled by Bears starter Alex Capaul (2-2), who gave up just three hits and struck out four with no walks. Capaul's departure proved to be the lighting of the fuse of the Everett offense, which reeled off three-straight RBI hits after reliever Michael Blake loaded the bases with three walks--two coming with two outs.
Victor Acosta, who had a 1.69 ERA entering the game, relieved Blake and failed to record an out. Mario Yepez, who was 2-for-5 on the night, had the first hit of the inning, which scored two and barely fell in the middle of the Bears shortstop and the right and center fielders. Blash followed with his first hit of the game, an RBI-single up the middle, and Justin Albert relieved Acosta. After Ramon Morla walked, Jharmidy De Jesus singled, scoring Yepez and Blash. De Jesus and Morla then pulled off a double steal but Ethan Paquette fanned to end the rally.
Steinmann was proud of the way his team fought back.
"I like the way they fight," he said. "I like the way they are competing. Everyone of them cares."
The Bears got a walk and then Daniel Pulfer tripled to score the game winning RBI in the top of the 11th, saddling Tim Griffin (3-1) with his first loss of the year. Albert (5-1) gave up his first blown save for Yakima, but picked up the win.
The teams conclude the five-game series today at 4:05 pm with the final regular season home contest of the year. The Frogs hope the eighth inning spark carries over into today's game.
"Just thinking about getting a W," Steinmann said. We have to go out there and not talk about it just get it done."
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