AquaSox rally falls short in 5-4 loss at Hillsboro

Published 1:30 am Friday, June 30, 2017

HILLSBORO, Ore. — A late-game comeback fell just short as the Everett AquaSox fell 5-4 to the Hillsboro Hops Friday night before 2,902 fans at Ron Tonkin Field.

The Sox (7-9) had the tying and go-ahead runs on base in the top of the ninth, but Austin Grebeck struck out to end the game.

The Hops (8-8) broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the sixth inning. Tra’mayne Holmes singled with one out and scored on a throwing error for the first run, and Bryan Araiza drove in Billy Endris with an RBI single for a 2-0 lead.

Everett starter Ryne Inman was otherwise brilliant despite falling to 0-3 with the hard-luck loss.

Only one of the two runs he allowed was earned and he struck out five while scattering four hits. He didn’t walk a batter.

Hillsboro starter Connor Grey (2-1) was even better as he fanned five on three hits and no walks in seven shutout innings.

Hillsboro tacked on three more in the seventh against reliever Ted Hammond. A two-run double from Daulton Varsho was the big blow and another run scored on a groundout.

Everett rallied in the top of the eighth against Hillsboro reliever Rafael Pujols. Johnny Adams led off with a double and scored on Greifer Andrade’s RBI single. Andrade scored on a sacrifice fly and Joseph Rosa and Joe Venturino had RBI singles to cut Everett’s deficit to 5-4.

That was how it ended as Erbert Gonzalez earned his second save with four strikeouts in 11⁄3 innings of scoreless relief.

Eugene Helder had three hits and Andrade had a pair of singles to lead Everett at the plate.

The teams play Game 3 of the five-game series Saturday at 5:03 p.m.