Herald staff
PORTLAND – Looks like the Everett Aquasox used up all their offense Wednesday.
A night after scoring 14 runs in a come-from-behind victory, Everett managed just two Thursday in a 6-2 loss to the Portland Rockies at Civic Stadium.
The AquaSox (11-6 overall), who scored nine late runs to beat Spokane in a 14-13 thriller on Wednesday, were held to five hits in a solid effort by Rockies pitchers.
A four-run burst in the first two innings was all Portland (9-7) needed to secure the victory.
The Rockies were handed their first home loss of the season Wednesday night when Salem-Keizer shut them out 3-0. Unfazed, they bounced back for the North Division-leading AquaSox.
An RBI-single in the first inning by designated hitter Michael Tejada gave Portland a 1-0 lead.
The Rockies added three more in the second to extend the lead to 4-0. Juan Ventura had a RBI single that scored Bryan Peck. Josh Pride grounded out, scoring Dan Conway. Brad Hawpe knocked in Ventura with an a RBI double.
The AquaSox got one back in the fourth inning when Wilfredo Quintana hit a single that scored Brett Higgins.
Two Everett errors in the fourth allowed Portland add a run, making the score 5-1. After reaching on a dropped fly ball, Ventura scored when a fly ball hit by Pride was dropped.
Everett scored another run in the fifth when Jamal Strong tripled with two out to score Matt Kent. Kent had led off the inning with a double.
Portland answered in the sixth inning, once again pushing the lead to four runs. Brad Hawpe hit a sacrifice fly to score Clint Barmes and increase the Rockies’ lead to 6-2.
Everett starter Hawkeye Wayne continued to struggle, only lasting 12/3 innings for the AquaSox. He allowed four runs on three hits in his second loss of the season.
Matt Roney pitched outstanding for the Rockies, going seven innings while giving up one earned run on five hits and striking out eight.
Portland’s bullpen was just as strong with Brandon Garner and Diogenes Gomez each pitching a scoreless inning.
Barmes was 1-for-3 with two runs scored and a stolen base for Portland. Hawpe was 1-for-2 with a double and two RBI.
Kent led Everett’s limited offense with a 2-for-3 night. Strong was 1-for-4 with an RBI triple and Quintana was 1-for-4 with an RBI.
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