AquaSox fail to capitalize in loss to Indians

EVERETT — The Everett AquaSox have spent the first half of the Northwest League regular season seemingly alternating between good and bad streaks.

Through 33 games they’ve won as many as seven in a row and lost as many as five straight.

They saw their latest four-game winning streak snapped Tuesday, and now head out on the road with a two-game losing streak after falling 7-3 to the visiting Spokane Indians Wednesday afternoon before 3,888 fans on Kids Day at Everett Memorial Stadium.

The AquaSox have five games remaining on their first-half slate as they embark on a five-game road trip Thursday in Boise.

Everett (17-16) entered the day with a one-game lead over Tri-City and a two-game lead over Vancouver for the first-half North Division title. Vancouver (15-16) and Tri-City (16-16) played each other Wednesday night.

The loss overshadowed an impressive debut by catcher Cal Raleigh, the Seattle Mariners’ third-round pick in last month’s draft out of Florida State.

Raleigh finished 2-for-4 with a pair of go-ahead RBI in his final two at-bats before he was lifted after seven innings behind the plate as per the pre-game plan.

“It was exciting,” Raleigh said. “I was a little bit nervous. I was excited to get out here and play after such a long break. I felt good. It was a great group of guys here. Unfortunately we didn’t pull it out, but I’m looking forward to the rest of the season.”

It was Raleigh’s first game since Florida State was eliminated by Mississippi State in the NCAA Tournament in early June. Raleigh signed just prior to the July 6 deadline for players with remaining eligibility. Raleigh initially went to Peoria, Ariz., before reporting to Everett on Tuesday afternoon.

“I love this atmosphere,” Raleigh said. “This weather is unbelievable, especially compared to Arizona. It’s a great field and a great group of guys and the coaches have been great.”

Raleigh batted cleanup Wednesday. He fouled out with the bases loaded in the bottom of the first inning and popped up to lead off the fourth inning.

However, he broke a 1-1 tie with a line drive single to right in the bottom of the fifth that gave Everett its first lead of the game.

Cal Raleigh with his first pro hit, and first pro RBI gives the @EverettAquaSox a 2-1 lead pic.twitter.com/84EsQLve1X

— Jesse Geleynse (@JesseGeleynse) July 18, 2018

Raleigh’s second run-scoring single came in the bottom of the seventh and scored Ryne Ogren to give Everett a 3-2 lead after Spokane had tied it in the top of the frame with a bases-loaded walk.

“I just had to make the adjustment after the first two (at-bats),” Raleigh said. “I did and I put some good swings on them.”

Cal Raleigh finished pro debut 2-for-4 with two go-ahead RBI singles. The AquaSox lead 3-2 in the eighth. Here’s his second RBI 1B: pic.twitter.com/UduFU6lFal

— Jesse Geleynse (@JesseGeleynse) July 18, 2018

The final lead did not last. The Indians scored three times in the top of the eighth against reliever Penn Murfee. Francisco Ventura had a two-run double, and Austin O’Banion followed with another run-scoring double as Spokane took a 3-2 lead it did not relinquish.

Tyler Depreta-Johnson added an RBI single and Cristian Inoa followed a run-scoring double in the ninth as Spokane’s lead swelled to 7-3.

The AquaSox missed several chances early to get on the board and stranded 11 for the day.

They loaded the bases with one no out in the first and failed to score. Connor Hoover was thrown out trying to score on an infield ground ball in the fifth. Later in the inning Connor Kopach was tagged out at home when Bobby Honeyman failed to get a suicide squeeze bunt down.

Kopach got up awkwardly following the play, hobbled toward the bench and was replaced by Ogren at shortstop. AquaSox trainer Josh Gallagher indicated afterward that Kopach showed signs of a hamstring strain, but said it was not expected to be serious.

Everett starting pitcher Carlos Hernandez allowed a leadoff home run to Juan Pablo Martinez in the first before shutting down the Indians on one additional hit over the next six innings. He fanned four and walked one, and left with a 2-1 lead that relievers Jamal Wade and Murfee (1-2) were unable to hold.

Spokane’s Wes Robertson (1-0) earned the win with 1 2/3 innings of two-hit, one-run relief of starter Tai Tiedemann. Tiedemann struck out three and scattered six hits while allowing two runs in 5 1/3 innings. Kyle Keith struck out three in two innings to earn his first save.

Hoover finished 2-for-5 with a double and Ryan Ramiz finished 3-for-5 with a double. Raleigh was the only other AquaSox player with more than one hit.

The AquaSox return for a three-game series with Vancouver next Tuesday.

For the latest AquaSox news follow Jesse Geleynse on Twitter @JesseGeleynse