EVERETT — The Everett AquaSox are in the midst of a Major League-level grind.
Most weeks, teams in the Northwest League play Tuesday-Sunday with an off day coming every Monday. However, the Frogs hopped on a bus almost immediately after Sunday’s 10-8 loss against Spokane to get to Vancouver in time for Monday’s 1:05 p.m. start.
They’ll play three games in Vancouver before both teams head to Everett for a three-game series at Funko Field. After the grind of 12 straight games, they’ll have a rare two-day break July 7-8.
This week’s six games against the Canadians could go a long way toward determining if the AquaSox will challenge for the second-half title, which would earn them a spot in the championship series again the first-half champion Spokane. Heading into Monday’s game, Vancouver’s blistering start put them in first place with a 9-0 record. Everett was tied with Eugene for third place with a 5-4 record.
The AquaSox could find themselves with a two-game lead, 10 games back or anywhere in between.
“It’s cool how they break it up,” said AquaSox manager Ryan Scott, whose team finished 32-34 in the first half. “You get 66 games in, now you get a fresh 66 when the standings start over. No matter where you’re at in the standings, you’re 0-0 on game 67 of the year.”
Players of the week
Hitter: Andrew Miller. The 6-foot-3, 230-pound catcher started four games in a week for the first time this season and made the most of the opportunity. Miller, age 26, smashed four home runs among his five hits last week. He went 5-for-14 at the plate, and his 1.214 slugging percentage was best on the team by large margin.
“Can’t complain,” said Miller prior to Wednesday’s game. “I’m out here living the dream every day.”
Pitcher: Brandyn Garcia. The 24-year-old pitcher might have actually pitched too well for those who are AquaSox fans. Garcia, who was selected out of Texas A&M in the 11th round of the 2023 draft, pitched six-shutout innings against first-half champion Spokane on June 26. A day later, the Mariners promoted him to AA Arkansas. Garcia finished his AquaSox tenure with a 6-0 record and a 1.84 earned-run average.
The week ahead: The AquaSox were to begin a three-game series at Vancouver on Monday followed by another three games against Vancouver at Funko Field. Vancouver started the second half of the season 9-0 after finishing the first half in fifth place (30-33). The Canadians allowed just 23 runs in those nine victories — 20 less than Eugene’s next-best 43. Last week, Vancouver pitchers fanned 56 batters while walking 16. The Canadians found a way to win six close games against Hillsboro. The largest margin of victory was three runs.
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