Emeralds show Sox no love

EUGENE, Ore. – The Summer of Love is over for the Everett AquaSox, in a manner of speaking.

Everett finally suffered its first loss in its Frogstock jerseys and the AquaSox suffered it in a big way, falling 16-3 to the Eugene Emeralds on Wednesday night in Northwest League play.

The AquaSox (20-13) had won four straight in their tie-dyed jerseys, which were supposed to be used once, but were continually resurrected as Everett kept winning.

However, that winning streak came to an abrupt halt Wednesday. Eugene (13-20) slugged four home runs, including Tom Vincent’s grand slam in the eighth inning. Lachlan Dale, Trino Aguilar and Colt Morton also connected for the Emeralds.

Eugene starting pitcher Matt Varner, making his first start of the season, earned the win to go to 1-1. He gave up two runs in five innings.

Everett starter Mark Lowe took the loss to fall to 0-2. He gave up five runs in three innings.

Mike Wilson and Elvis Cruz each had two hits and Brandon Green drove in two runs for the AquaSox.

The AquaSox struck first, scoring once in the top of the first inning. Brent Johnson led off with a walk and Oswaldo Navarro followed with a double off third baseman Dale’s glove, putting runners at second and third. Green’s one-out groundout to short brought home Johnson to make it 1-0.

Eugene then surged ahead in the second on RBI doubles by Dale and Billy Hogan, giving the Emeralds a 2-1 lead.

The Emeralds extended their lead in he third when Dale popped a two-out, three-run home run that just stayed fair down the left-field line, making it 5-1.

Everett got one run back in the fourth, Wilson lacing a two-out double to right-center and Cruz following with a single to left, cutting the deficit to 5-2.

But the Emeralds busted the game open in the seventh. Aguilar led off with a solo home run, Sean Kazmar rapped am RBI single and Morton lined a two-run homer, making it 9-2.

Everett made it 9-3 in the eighth on Green’s RBI single.