Opponent: Spokane Indians
When: 7:05 p.m.
Where: Everett Memorial Stadium
Radio: KRKO (1380 AM)
Pitchers: Everett left-hander Justin Thomas (1-2, 2.92 ERA) vs. Spokane right-hander Doug Mathis (1-2, 3.94)
Dominators
A quick glance at the Northwest League’s team offensive statistics makes for some pretty telling reading.
Yep, the Everett AquaSox’s offense is pretty good.
Through 27 games of the 76-game season, the AquaSox weren’t just leading the league in offense, they were blowing the rest of the league away.
“Definitely we’re pretty happy now,” said Everett outfielder Casey Craig, who went into Tuesday’s game against Spokane leading the league in batting at .363. “When you hit well everybody’s pretty happy around each other. So it’s a good atmosphere to be around right now.”
How much better are Everett’s numbers than everyone else? Through Monday the AquaSox had scored 172 runs (6.4 per game). The next-best team, Eugene, had scored 140 (5.2 per game). Everett was first in the league in batting average (.285), doubles (63), home runs (24), RBI (147), walks (128) and stolen bases (46).
The greatest discrepancies could be found in slugging percentage and on-base percentage. Everett’s slugging percentage of .438 was 50 points ahead of second-place Spokane, and the AquaSox’s on-base percentage of .381 was 42 points ahead of second-place Eugene.
“Everybody’s stepping up,” said Everett first baseman Jeff Flaig, who’s batting .333. “Our start was pretty shaky, but since then everybody’s got it going pretty good.”
“Pretty much we’re just being more selective at the plate,” Flaig added. “Everybody’s getting a good pitch and they’re hitting it, they’re not missing it.”
It’s helped that everyone’s been involved. Everett has six players batting over .300, and the collective success has had a snowball effect in building up the AquaSox offense.
“If one guy feels good at the plate and does well, then another guy’s going to do well because he’s seen him hit that pitcher well,” Craig said. “So if everybody starts feeding off each other everything really flows. It’s going series-to-series now, it’s not just game-to-game.”
Arias promoted: Everett lost right-handed pitcher Oliver Arias, who was promoted to Inland Empire of the full-season Class A California League.
Arias, a 24-year-old native of the Dominican Republic, began the season in Everett’s starting rotation, made one start, then was moved to the bullpen. In six games he threw 142/3 innings, giving up 20 hits, two walks and striking out nine. He figured in no decisions and had a 4.91 ERA.
No pitcher has been brought in to replace Arias yet, leaving Everett with 13 pitchers on the roster. Arias’ promotion also leaves the AquaSox with the Northwest League-mandated four players aged 23 or older – pitcher Cory Koliscak, catcher J.B. Tucker, infielder Ron Prettyman and outfielder Trevor Heid.
Saunders update: Everett outfielder Mike Saunders did not play Tuesday because of a foot injury.
Saunders fouled a pitch off his right foot in the third inning of Monday’s 12-2 victory over Spokane. After a visit from trainer Spyder Webb he completed his at bat, eventually striking out. However, he came out of the game an inning later.
Saunders has since been diagnosed with a bruised foot and is considered day-to-day.
Slowing Murphy: One of the reasons the AquaSox dominated the first three games of their five-game series against Spokane is the way they’ve cooled down the bat of Steve Murphy.
Murphy, Spokane’s No. 3 batter, came into the series leading the league in most offensive categories. Going into Tuesday’s game he still led the league in home runs (6) and RBI (22) and had a healthy .327 batting average, good for sixth.
However, Murphy was completely ineffective in the first three games of the series. He went 2-for-13 – both singles – with one run, no RBI and seven strikeouts.
Nick Patterson, Herald writer
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
