Sox update
Published 9:00 pm Monday, August 21, 2006
Opponent: Salem-Keizer Volcanoes
When: 6:35 p.m.
Where: Volcanoes Stadium, Keizer, Ore.
Radio: KRKO (1380 AM)
Probable starters: Everett right-hander Chris Tillman (1-1, 5.19 earned run average) vs. Salem-Keizer left-hander Steven Calicutt (2-1, 1.72)
Top of the order
When Everett first baseman Joe White initially looked at the starting lineup for Sunday’s game against Yakima, he had one reaction:
“I was shocked, definitely shocked,” White said when he saw his name at the top of the AquaSox batting order.
No, White may not fit the description of a leadoff batter to a T, but the move made more sense than at first glance.
The normal image of a leadoff batter is of a small, fast, singles hitter. White is anything but, being a big, powerful guy with little speed.
But with regular leadoff man Kevin Reynolds continuing to serve as an emergency call-up to Class AAA Tacoma, Everett manager Dave Myers has had to improvise with the leadoff spot.
And one thing White can do is get on base.
“He leads the league in on-base percentage,” Myers replied when asked his reasons for leading off White. “I hope I don’t have to keep doing it. When we get Reynolds back I’d like to have Reynolds in the leadoff spot. But we don’t have Reynolds.”
White may not have the quickness of a typical leadoff batter, but he makes up for it by being the most-selective batter in the Northwest League. Going into Monday’s game he led the league in both walks (50) and on-base percentage (.448).
He continued in that vein Sunday, drawing two walks and singling in four plate appearances.
“It was definitely different,” White said of his leadoff experience. “I’d never hit there before. I was able to take some pitches and try my best to show what the pitcher had.
“I didn’t have to change my approach because for the most part my approach is to work deep in the count and try to get a good pitch,” White added. “I really didn’t have to change anything.”
White was back out of the leadoff spot Monday, giving way to Marcos Villezcas. But he didn’t move much, dropping just one spot to second.
Early runs: When Everett went through its recent five-game losing streak on Aug. 8-12, the AquaSox didn’t lead once.
Everett turned its fortunes by scoring early and often. In winning four of the next six, the AquaSox scored early and often. In the first three victories Everett led by at least three runs by the second inning, and in the fourth win the Sox led by three in the fourth inning.
“I think every team, whether they’ll say it or not, plays better when they’re ahead,” Everett catcher Danny Santin said. “When you’ve gotten a few runs you play better. Everyone’s more comfortable in their position. It takes pressure off the pitcher, it takes pressure off the hitters and everyone is more relaxed. If you get up by four or five early in the game it takes a huge amount of pressure off.”
Still no outfield relief: Everett was forced to use its makeshift outfield for the fourth straight game as Reynolds and Gavin Dickey remained out of the lineup. As a result, third baseman Leury Bonilla started again in left field, with corner outfielder Bryan Sabatella manning center.
While Reynolds, Everett’s regular centerfielder, remained in Tacoma, Dickey continued to be sidelined with a bruised wrist. Dickey, who suffered the injury when he was hit by a pitch Thursday, is considered day-to-day.
Nick Patterson, Herald Writer
