EUGENE, Ore. — Anthony Phillips made sure the Everett AquaSox’s final memory of Eugene’s Civic Stadium was a victorious one.
Phillips’ two-run single in the top of the ninth inning turned defeat into victory, and Everett won its farewell game at Civic Stadium 4-3 Friday night.
The Emeralds are moving from Civic Stadium to a new facility at the University of Oregon next season, and for much of the game it appeared Everett would depart in defeat. Eugene took a 2-0 lead in the fourth inning, then after Everett tied it in the fifth the Emeralds regained the lead in the seventh.
But Everett got a break to start the top of the ninth when Eugene shortstop Chris Tremblay bobbled Welington Dotel’s grounder for an error. Jose Rivero then followed by bouncing a ball over the head of third baseman Edinson Rincon, giving Everett runners at second and third with no outs.
After one out, Phillips lined a single to right. Dotel scored, then Rivero slid home safely just under the tag as the Sox took the lead.
Daniel Cooper then retired the Emeralds in order in the ninth as Everett (8-6) came away with a split from the six-game series. For Cooper it was his third save of the series.
Brad Reid picked up the win with a scoreless inning of relief.
Eugene closer David Erickson was saddled with the loss as the Emeralds fell to 5-9.
Everett starting pitcher Chris Kirkland had a solid start, though he was left with a no decision. In six innings he gave up two runs on five hits and two walks, striking out five.
Meanwhile, Eugene starter Chris Fetter nearly matched the feat of Thursday night’s Emeralds starter Matt Jackson, who departed after five perfect innings. Fetter threw four perfect innings before the Sox broke through in the fifth. He allowed two runs on four hits in 5 2⁄3 innings, walking none and striking out five.
After three quick innings Eugene opened the scoring in the bottom of the fourth. The Emeralds loaded the bases with two out, then Ty Wright bounced a single to center, driving in two runs and giving Eugene a 2-0 lead.
Fetter retired the first 12 Everett batters of the game, but the Sox snapped the perfect game emphatically in the fifth. The first three batters of the inning — Gerardo Avila, Juan Fuentes and Dotel — all had base hits, with Fuentes’ RBI double and Rivero’s RBI fielder’s choice allowing Everett to tie it at 2-2.
Eugene regained the lead in the seventh. Kyle Loretelli grounded a ball that was just fair down the first-base line, scoring Chris Tremblay from second to make it 3-2.
Talk to us
- You can tell us about news and ask us about our journalism by emailing newstips@heraldnet.com or by calling 425-339-3428.
- If you have an opinion you wish to share for publication, send a letter to the editor to letters@heraldnet.com or by regular mail to The Daily Herald, Letters, P.O. Box 930, Everett, WA 98206.
- More contact information is here.
