Today’s Game
Opponent: Spokane Indians
When: 7:05 p.m.
Where: Everett Memorial Stadium
Radio: KRKO (1380 AM)
Probable starters: Everett right-hander Stephen Kohlscheen (0-0, 2.25 ERA) vs. Spokane left-hander Victor Payano (1-2, 4.12)
Powering up
The AquaSox received some much-needed added punch to their lineup with the addition of third baseman Ramon Morla to the roster Wednesday.
Morla, a 21-year-old from the Dominican Republic, had a monster season for Pulaski of the rookie Appalachian League last season, batting .323 with 17 home runs and 49 RBI in 62 games.
Morla began the season with Clinton of the mid single-A Midwest League, but hit just .170 with no home runs as he battled hamstring issues. He returned to the Seattle Mariners’ complex in Peoria, Ariz., to recover, then played three games for Peoria of the rookie Arizona League before begin called up to Everett.
His addition should provide a boost to Everett’s offense, which came into Wednesday having scored the second-fewest runs in the Northwest League.
“He’s got a little power in his bat, and he’s a good third baseman,” Everett manager Scott Steinmann said of Morla. “So he’s going to play third and be in the middle of the lineup. Last year he had a tremendous year. If he does that again it’s a great thing, but we’re not putting any pressure on him to have those expectations. We just want him to go out and play and finish the season healthy.”
On Wednesday Morla played third and batted fifth with Jharmidy De Jesus, who had been playing third, switching over to first. Steinmann said Morla and De Jesus would both see time at third, with Morla getting the majority of the games at the hot corner.
One other player was added to Everett’s roster Wednesday. Right-handed pitcher Ben Versnik, a 38th-round pick in the 2010 draft, had been playing for Peoria, where he threw four scoreless innings.
Strong start
Sox starter Bennett Whitmore has had a bit of a roller coaster ride so far this season. However, his last time out Monday night reached new heights as he tossed 72/3 scoreless innings. The start was not only Whitmore’s best so far, it was the longest outing by an Everett pitcher this season.
“It felt good out there,” Whitmore said. “I was just relaxed.
“Before the game I was just going to keep it low. My velocity didn’t matter, it was just keeping the ball low. Sometimes for me what gets in the way is I want to throw hard. But just being myself out there seemed to work best, keeping it low.”
Whitmore allowed three hits, three walks and struck out four as the Sox topped Boise 4-0.
“He pitched ahead, got down in the zone and challenged hitters,” Steinmann said. “He even challenged hitters with his off-speed stuff. He was aggressive and didn’t mess around. His pitch count was really low, so it allowed him to go deep into the game.”
Nick Patterson, Herald writer
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