EVERETT – So far during his time with the Everett AquaSox, Reed Eastley has made himself known for his ability to get on base.
But Saturday night Eastley made noise with the way he cleared them.
Eastley hit what proved to be the game-winning grand slam home run, and the Aquasox came from behind to defeat the Tri-City Dust Devils 6-5 Saturday night in a Northwest League game.
“That’s a pretty big thrill,” Eastley said. “I can’t remember the last time I hit (a grand slam). It’s exciting, especially when you’re down three runs and you can get a big hit to help your team win a game.”
Ronnie Prettyman and Daniel Santin each added two hits and three pitchers combined on 52/3 innings of scoreless relief for Everett (20-19).
Brian Kirby homered for Tri-City (18-21).
Eastley came into the game with a gaudy .495 on-base percentage, but just four RBI in 72 at bats. However, with his grand slam he gave Everett the lead, doubled his season RBI output and turned the tide of the game.
The AquaSox had dug themselves into a hole and trailed 5-1 going into the bottom of the fourth inning. But with one run in, one out and the bases loaded, Eastley lined a shot over the right-field wall, giving the AquaSox a 6-5 lead.
“Going up there I knew I hadn’t done a good job scoring runners from third base,” Eastley said. “So I was just trying to get a pitch up in the zone and hit it into the outfield to score the run.”
Eastley did more than that, launching a 1-1 belt-high fastball for his second homer of the season.
“We got a very good at bat by Reed Eastley in the right spot,” Everett manager Pedro Grifol said. “He’s a patient hitter, he waited for his pitch and lucky for us he got good wood on it.”
Once Eastley gave Everett the lead, the AquaSox bullpen did the rest. Left-hander Justin Thomas, recently moved from the starting rotation into the bullpen, stunted Tri-City’s early momentum with 32/3 innings of stellar relief. Cory Koliscak held the fort for 11/3 innings, then Rollie Gibson needed just two pitches to get a game-ending double play.
Thomas, who gave up two hits, one walk and struck out two, got the win to impove to 2-3. Gibson picked up the save, his first.
“Thomas came in and really gave us the opportunity to stay in the game,” Grifol said. “Then Koliscak and Gibson came in and did what they’re supposed to do.”
Everett starting pitcher Roman Martinez had an inauspicious rotation debut. Making his first start for the AquaSox, Martinez was knocked out of the game in the fourth inning after giving up five runs on six hits and three walks. He struck out two.
Tri-City starter James Freeman didn’t fare any better. He also lasted just 31/3 innings, giving up six runs – four earned – on five hits and five walks, striking out three.
Kirby gave Tri-City the lead in the top of the second, blasting a two-run home run to dead center field and giving the Dust Devils an early 2-0 advantage.
Everett cut the lead in half in the bottom of the inning. Rob Hudson singled to center and Alex Gary, racing around from second, slid in safely when center fielder Chris Frey’ throw took a high hop off the mound.
But Tri-City added two more in the third on back-to-back RBI singles, and made it 5-1 in the fourth on Travis Becktel’s RBI double.
Everett’s rally in the bottom began when the AquaSox loaded the bases on two walks and a single. One run came in when Tri-City third baseman Phillip Cuadrado booted Trevor Heid’s grounder. Eastley did the rest.
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