Today
Opponent: Yakima Bears
When: 1:05 p.m.
Where: Everett Memorial Stadium
Radio: KRKO (1380 AM)
Probable starters: Everett right-hander Taylor Lewis (3-0, 2.50 ERA) vs. Yakima right-hander Rafael Quezada (0-1, 5.54)
Old school
John Tamargo had never been to Civic Stadium in Eugene, Ore., prior to the Everett AquaSox’s just-completed six-game series against the Eugene Emeralds. However, that didn’t prevent the Everett manager from getting a little nostalgic about the stadium.
Civic Stadium is a throwback. Built in 1938 and home to the Emeralds since 1969, it’s a prime example of what older generation minor-league ballparks are all about.
A generation to which Tamargo belongs.
“That ballpark brought back a lot of memories of when I played,” said Tamargo, who was a minor-league player during the early 1970s. “It’s an old ballpark. The wooden stands and the locker rooms, it just brought back a lot of memories from when I first started playing this game, which was neat.”
This is Eugene’s final season at Civic Stadium. The Emeralds plan on moving to PK Park, the new stadium being built at the University of Oregon, next season.
But while the trip to Civic Stadium may have stirred up memories, Tamargo won’t be shedding a tear for Civic Stadium’s departure from the Northwest League.
“I’ll be honest with you. I liked all that when I was playing, I like new stuff now,” Tamargo said, eliciting a laugh. “I like to see a little progress, make things more comfortable.”
Short bench
During the Eugene series Tamargo was a little short of options when it came to filling out his lineup.
Center fielder Kalian Sams and second baseman Hawkins Gebbers were unavailable for most of the six-game series. Sams sat out all six games because of a wrist injury, Gebbers missed the final five because of a groin strain. Until catcher Israel Nunez was added to the roster midway through the series, that left the Sox with just one available body on the bench.
And it wasn’t just the loss of two bodies, it’s who those bodies were. Sams is Everett’s top slugger, having hit three home runs in the Sox’s first four games, while Gebbers is leading the team in batting (.412) and RBI (nine).
So given the circumstances, Tamargo was happy with the way the team was able to fight back and win the final two games of the series to earn a series split.
“It’s been tough,” Tamargo said “But guys have been battling through it.”
The Sox may be without Sams for a while longer. He’s scheduled for an MRI on Monday to determine the severity of his injury. Gebbers is expected to return to the lineup tonight.
Newcomers
Everett returned from its Eugene road trip with two new names on the roster, Nunez and pitcher Andres Eqsuibel.
Nunez was on Everett’s tentative initial roster, but didn’t join the team until the past week. The 23-year-old from Nezahaucoytl, Mexico, has been shuffled around the Seattle Mariners’ minor-league system this season, appearing for Tacoma of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League, Clinton of the mid Class A Midwest League, and Peoria of the rookie Arizona League prior to arriving in Everett. Last season for Wisconsin of the Midwest League he batted .224 in 59 games with one home run and 16 RBI.
Esquibel was Seattle’s 38th-round pick in the 2008 draft. Like Nunez he also had brief stints with Tacoma, Clinton and Peoria before joining the Sox. The 22-year-old right-hander from San Marcos, Calif., pitched for Pulaski of the rookie Class A Appalachian League last season, going 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA and one save in 16 relief appearances.
Nick Patterson, Herald Writer
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