VANCOUVER, B.C. — In a one-hour seventh inning, luck favored both sides.
Unfortunately for the Everett AquaSox, Vancouver took a three-run lead into the fateful inning and each team’s four-run effort resulted in a 7-4 Canadians victory Wednesday at Nat Bailey Stadium.
Vancouver’s second win in the final game of the three-game series left both teams tied for third place in the Northern Division of the Northwest League with 6-10 records.
Everett began its half of the seventh with a leadoff walk by Manelik Pimentel. An out later, designated hitter Fleming Baez singled to send Pimentel to second base. Pinch-hitter Welington Dotel grounded into a force out of Baez at second, but Luis Nunez followed with a single to give Everett its first run. Dotel reached third and Nunez took second on the throw to the infield.
George Soto singled in both runners, moved to second on a walk and scored the go-ahead run on a single by Kevin Reynolds, who batted 4-for-5.
But the AquaSox bullpen could not hold the lead.
After Marquis Pettis walked the Vancouver leadoff batter for the second straight inning, he was relieved by Phil Hann. Dusty Napolean sacrificed the runner into scoring position and the strategy paid off when Jason Christian singled to tie the score.
An ensuing single by Jeremy Barfield and a two-out, RBI double by Francisco Tirado doomed Hann (0-2).
Two unearned runs subsequently scored on a throwing error by Everett third baseman Nate Tenbrink.
Vancouver starter Ronny Morla struck out seven of the first nine AquaSox batters, striking out the side in the second and third innings.
Reynolds had Everett’s first two hits, a single to right to lead off the game and an infield single to lead off the third. But he was removed from the bases on both occasions. He was caught stealing in the first and doubled off first in the third on a fly out to right.
Everett starter Brett Lorin allowed 10 baserunners in the first five innings (six hits and four walks), but limited the damage to single runs in the first and second.
The Canadians, who scored in the bottom of the first in all three games of the series, took a 1-0 lead on a walk and back-to-back singles by Dante Love and Napolean.
Vancouver took a 2-0 lead in the second inning as Jareck West walked, stole second and scored on Tirado’s first hit of the season. Tirado came into the game batting 0-for-15.
The Canadians upped their lead to three runs in the sixth when Pettis began his relief stint with back-to-back walks. The runners advanced on a sacrifice bunt and a run scored on a sacrifice fly.
Pettis’ first walk was one of four leadoff walks issued by Everett pitchers and all four baserunners eventually scored.
Everett returned home after the game and opens a five-game series against Yakima with a 7:05 p.m. game tonight at Everett Memorial Stadium.
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