AquaSox finally get some relief

  • By Nick Patterson / Herald Writer
  • Saturday, July 17, 2004 9:00pm
  • Sports

EVERETT – The Everett AquaSox bullpen – pardon the pun – was in need of some serious relief.

Enter Mumba Rivera.

Rivera provided a much-needed breath of fresh air, bringing the Yakima Bears’ surging offense to a screeching halt, and the AquaSox defeated the Bears 8-6 in a Northwest League game.

Before the second largest crowd (4,801) in Everett Memorial Stadium history, Rivera tossed 32/3 innings of scoreless relief. That allowed the AquaSox (17-12) to go from trailing 6-5 to leading 8-6. He gave up one hit, one walk and struck out five against a team that had scored 38 runs in the first four games of the series, improving his record to 2-2.

“Every pitch was working,” Rivera said. “I felt great in the bullpen and my curveball was the key pitch. It kept the hitters off balance. I was also able to spot my fastball and I kept my change low, so everything was working.”

Aaron Trolia pitched a scoreless ninth to pick up his third save of the season. Casey Craig led the Everett offense, going 2-for-4 with two RBI.

Everett finished 2-3 in the five-game series.

Rivera’s performance couldn’t have come at a more important time, considering Everett’s bullpen gave up 17 runs the previous two games, both blowout losses.

“I thought it was a big win for the bullpen and a big win for the team,” Rivera said. “The bullpen didn’t do a good job earlier in the series, but hopefully this will give the bullpen confidence. It was also a big way to end the series before going on the road to Eugene.”

Rivera also received strong defense behind him, with first baseman Brandon Green and second baseman Oswaldo Navarro standing out.

Everett starting pitcher Ruben Flores, coming off an eight-inning start, only made it a little more than half that distance this time. In 41/3 innings, he gave up six runs on five hits and two walks, striking out two.

Yakima starter Keith Whatley went four innings, giving up seven runs – five earned – on four hits and four walks, striking out two. He fell to 1-4. The Bears fell to 12-17.

It looked like it was going to be more of the same of what’s gone on all series when on the third pitch of the game, Erik Schindewolf smashed a liner over the right-center wall for a home run – his third of the season and Yakima’s 11th of the series – to stake the Bears to an early 1-0 lead.

But then the other thing that’s been prevalent throughout the series – Yakima errors – led to the AquaSox going up 4-1 in the second. A bad throw by third baseman Trey Hendricks on a potential double-play grounder allowed both runners to be safe, and shortstop Mark Reynolds threw away another potential double-play ball after recording the out at second, allowing Marshall Hubbard to score and tie it at 1-1. The errors were Yakima’s seventh and eighth of the series.

Later in the inning, with the hit and run on, Craig tripled down the left-field line, driving in two runs. Brent Johnson’s sacrifice fly scored Craig to give Everett a three-run lead.

Yakima pulled within one in a third inning that Flores would just as soon forget. Flores threw three wild pitches, made a throwing error on a pickoff attempt at second and hit a batter. The net result was two runs, cutting the lead to 4-3.

Everett tacked another run on in the bottom of the third. Green led off with a triple off the left-field wall. One out later he scored on Yung Chi Chen’s groundout to short, making it 5-3.

But then that bane of the AquaSox reared its ugly head again in the fifth when Reynolds belted a three run shot to left – his fourth straight game with a homer and his sixth of the season – to give the Bears a 6-5 lead.

Everett retook the lead in the bottom of the fifth, scoring twice with the benefit of just one hit – Hubbard’s single off the field umpire. Chen’s sacrifice fly and Mike Wilson’s RBI groundout brought home the runs as the Everett went ahead 7-6.

Everett added another run in the sixth when Navarro and Craig executed a double steal, Craig sliding home safely to make it 8-6.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Lake Stevens’ Kamryn Mason attempts to flip Glacier Peak’s Kyla Brown onto her back during 110-pound match at the 4A girls wrestling district tournament on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Vikings girls wrestling conquers 4A District 1 Tournament

Lake Stevens dominated with champions in six weight classes and 18 total state-qualifiers

Kamiak’s Kai Burgess has her arm raised in the air after beating Arlington’s Jaymari O’Neal in the 125-pound match at the 4A girls wrestling district tournament on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Rebuilding Kamiak girls wrestling steps forward at District Tournament

Ki Burgess and Eden Cole each won their weight class in Friday’s WIAA District 1 Girls’ 4A Tournament

Meadowdale’s Kyairra Roussin takes the ball to the hoop during the game against Archbishop Murphy on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep girls basketball roundup for Friday, Feb. 7

Kyairra Roussin’s deep buzzer-beater lifts Meadowdale over Stanwood.

Prep boys basketball roundup for Friday, Feb. 7

Lake Stevens passes Mariner in league standings to take final district slot.

Seattle head coach Mike Holmgren watches his team against Washington Sunday, November 9, 2003. (George Bridges / KRT / Tribune News Services)
No Holmgren in Hall is a travesty

The Former Seahawks coach carries a resume superior to many already in the HOF.

A Snohomish School District truck clears the parking lot at Glacier Peak High School on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. (Aaron Coe / The Herald)
Inclement weather cancellations strain high school sports calendar

With state tournaments on the horizon, ADs from Wesco, Northwest and Kingco must be flexible

Gonzaga overcomes stagnant start to beat LMU

Bulldogs get ‘best of best’ play down the stretch in 73-53 win.

Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) celebrates during a stop of the Arizona Cardinals at Lumen Field on Nov. 24, 2024 (Photo courtesy of Rod Mar / Seattle Seahawks)
Leonard Williams restructures Seahawks deal

More moves may be coming as Seattle deals with salary cap.

Former Archbishop Murphy High School stars, Bears cornerback Kyler Gordon (6) and Seahawks right tackle Abraham Lucas (72), prepare for play at Soldier Field in Chicago on Dec. 26, 2024. Though Lucas is likely to return as a starter, Seattle's interior line needs offseason upgrades. (Photo courtesy of Edwin Hooper / Seattle Seahawks)
The Seahawks offensive line needs work

A mix free agency and draft could lead to upgraded interior.

UW men stumble in second half, fall to Nebraska

The three-pointers that fell so frequently — and from a… Continue reading

Edmonds-Woodway’s William Alseth dribbles the ball down the court during the game against Shorewood on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds-Woodway boys basketball enters playoffs on high note

The Warriors never let up in 63-43 win vs. Shorewood on Tuesday to secure Wesco South 3A/2A title

Prep basketball roundup for Tuesday, Feb. 4

Parker powers Seagulls to district berth.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.