Setting the tables
The Everett AquaSox appear to have found their leadoff batter, and it came from an unexpected source.
Shortstop Anthony Phillips was a part-time player when he first arrived in Everett, and his .224 batting average going into Friday night’s game was not exactly what one would expect from a leadoff hitter. But over the past five games he’s made the spot his own.
“I think it’s going pretty good,” Phillips said about leading off. “I like it a lot. I just try to get on base and hopefully the guys behind me can hit me in.”
Everett’s leadoff position has been in flux much of the season, with the likes of Kevin Reynolds, Tyson Gillies and Ben Billingsley all seeing time at the top of the order.
Phillips, the 18-year-old from South Africa, had spent most of his time in the No. 9 spot in the lineup. But he was inserted into the leadoff spot last Saturday and has been there ever since.
Phillips’ numbers since becoming the leadoff hitter haven’t changed much: 3-for-18, reaching base in six of 22 plate appearances. But he’s shown a penchant for taking pitches, the ability to get a bunt down and he’s scored in four of the five games.
And one can’t argue with the overall results. Everett won just twice in 13 games prior to Phillips moving into the leadoff spot. Since then the Sox won four of five.
“He’s been working the counts well, and most of the time he’s on base putting pressure on the defense,” Everett manager Jose Moreno said. “He’s been doing a real good job the last three or four games we’ve used him there and we’re going to keep him there and see how he responds.”
Phillips himself admits he’s not the perfect candidate for the leadoff spot. But he’s working on the adjustments.
“In the nine spot you’re not supposed to be a free swinger, but if you get a fastball you can swing at it,” Phillips explained. “Leadoff you take pitches, take enough to see an offspeed pitch and give the other guys a little bit of a heads up.”
Phillips was once again in the leadoff spot Friday night.
Rejuvenated: Bobby LaFromboise’s arm is alive again.
After struggling with a dead arm, the Sox starting pitcher looked like he was back up to speed during an excellent five innings in Thursday’s 2-0 victory over Tri-City.
LaFromboise was shut down for about two weeks during July because of a tired arm. Since then it’s been a gradual process working back to full strength. On a strict pitch limit during his first three starts back, LaFromboise totalled just 52/3 innings.
But LaFromboise was back up to the standard five-inning, 75-pitch limit for starters Thursday and looked refreshed. In five scoreless innings he allowed just two hits and struck out six. At 62 pitches he was well under the pitch limit, though he had reached the innings limit.
“My arm feels great,” LaFromboise said following the game. “It felt really good to throw five innings. I wanted to go out for more.”
Nick Patterson, Herald Writer
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