AquaSox back home after successful road trip to Boise

Published 9:25 pm Wednesday, July 15, 2015

EVERETT — As well as the Everett AquaSox have played so far this season, even they’re susceptible to the occasional lull.

But in Everett’s case, that lull didn’t last that long.

The Sox got their game straightened back out on the road as they took four of five from their just-completed series against the Boise Hawks.

“It went well,” Sox manager Rob Mummau said about the series in Boise. “We had a couple close games where they battled us really hard, they were really aggressive on the bases. But winning four out of five coming out of there is really good.”

Shortly before departing for Boise the Sox suffered through their worst stretch of the young season, losing four straight. But it was back to business as usual for Everett on the road as the Sox controlled their series against the Hawks, including winning the final three prior to Tuesday’s first off day of the season.

It was a familiar formula for Everett as the Sox, who went into Wednesday as the highest-scoring team in the Northwest League, slugged their way past the Hawks, scoring 35 runs in the five contests. That was more than twice the 17 runs Boise managed in the series.

“The whole team played great,” said Sox first baseman Ryan Uhl, who drove in a team-leading eight runs in the series, including his first home run as a professional. “We hit, we pitched, we played defense. We just played team baseball.”

The Sox managed it despite missing several key players. Three of the team’s regulars and top offensive performers — outfielder Luis Liberato (oblique), shortstop Drew Jackson (hamstring) and catcher Yojhan Quevedo (concussion) — missed the entire series because of injury. In addition, Everett was without No. 1 starting pitcher Luiz Gohara, who was promoted to Clinton of the mid single-A Midwest League to make a spot start.

But others picked up the slack. In addition to Uhl, the Sox received a nice boost from Yordi Calderon. Used primarily as a backup first baseman before the injuries hit, Calderon went 4-for-11 in three starts in Boise, belting a pair of homers, scoring five runs and driving in four.

“Yeah, guys stepped up,” Mummau said. “Yordi Calderon hit a couple home runs the other night, he’s one of the guys who’s really stepping up in key situations. (Reserve infielder Rafael) Fernandez had three hits the other night. That’s always good to see, and hopefully we can keep it going.”

Not only are the Sox now on a roll, they’re expecting to get their missing players back soon. Gohara has already returned from Clinton, while Liberato, Jackson and Quevedo are expected to return in the next few days.

Just 12 games remained in the first half of the Northwest League season heading into Wednesday, and the Sox held a three-game lead over Tri-City atop the North Division. If Everett continues its roll, clinching the first-half division title and an automatic playoff spot could come with plenty of room to spare.