Taking winning to the road
The Everett AquaSox have been virtually impervious at home. But the Sox had not been able to replicate that success on the road.
At least not until now.
When Everett took three of five in its recently-completed series at Spokane, it was the Sox’s first road series victory of the season.
“I thought it went well,” Everett manager John Tamargo said. “Any time you win three out of five on the road it’s a good road trip. In the middle of it we didn’t pitch real well, but we came back and (Wednesday) did real well, so I’m pleased.”
Going into Thursday’s game Everett was an astounding 12-1 at home, including winning its past 11. But the success at home hadn’t translated to the road. The Sox either lost or split their first three road series and had just a 6-8 record away from Everett Memorial Stadium.
That changed Wednesday when the Sox won the rubber game against Spokane 8-3, and Tamargo was happy to see Everett’s results at home mirrored on the road.
“It’s good,” Tamargo said. “We’ve been playing good, we’ve been playing hard. It’s tough because you get in the cool weather here, which is nice to play in, then you go to Spokane or Tri-City where it’s 100 (degrees). It’s tough to get yourself going sometimes, but these are professionals and we have to do it. It’s not going to get any easier.”
A big factor in Everett’s success in Spokane was the play of right fielder James Jones. Jones, the Seattle Mariners’ fourth-round pick in this year’s entry draft, joined the Sox during their last homestand, but didn’t get into a game until the team traveled to Spokane. However, Jones announced himself to professional baseball in a big way, batting 10-for-20 in the series.
“He’s really swinging the bat well,” Tamargo said of Jones. “He’s got a quick swing. We’re real pleased with the way he’s adjusted to the wood bat in pro ball and things like that. He’s got a big upside to him.”
Transactions
Everett had three roster moves since its previous homestand.
Right fielder Welington Dotel was promoted to Clinton of the mid Class A Midwest League prior to Everett’s series in Spokane. Dotel, who was in his third tour of duty in Everett, played in 28 games for the Sox, batting .298 with three home runs and 10 RBI. His promotion also freed up playing time for Jones.
Left-handed pitcher Jonathan Hesketh was added to the roster Thursday. The 23-year-old native of Langley, B.C., was the Seattle Mariners’ 20th-round pick in this year’s draft out of the University of New Mexico. He had been pitching for Peoria of the rookie Arizona League, where in five relief appearances he was 2-0 with a 1.64 ERA, striking out 19 in 11 innings.
Hesketh helps fill the void in the bullpen left by reliever Phillip Roy being placed on the disabled list. Roy experienced elbow stiffness following his outing Monday in Spokane. He’s scheduled to visit a doctor to have his elbow checked out.
Nick Patterson, Herald Writer
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