Opponent: Eugene Emeralds
When: 7:05 p.m.
Where: Civic Stadium, Eugene, Ore.
Radio: KRKO (1380 AM)
Pitchers: Everett right-hander Roman Martinez (1-1, 4.15 ERA) vs. Eugene left-hander Brenton Carter (2-2, 2.20).
Slamming the door
It appears the Everett AquaSox have found their closer.
Stephen Kahn has grabbed the closer role by the horns, solidifying a position that had been in constant flux the entire season.
Since joining the AquaSox 10 days ago Kahn, who was the Seattle Mariners’ fifth-round pick in the 2005 draft out of Loyola Marymount University, has recorded five saves in six appearances. He gave up three runs in his first appearance in a non-save situation, but hasn’t given up a run since.
“That was the idea and it’s paid off,” Everett pitching coach Marcos Garcia said about brining Kahn is as the team’s closer. “The kid has incredible talent. It’s like he’s the missing piece from the puzzle.”
Kahn, a hard-throwing right-hander, shores up a position that Everett never really filled prior to his arrival. Four pitchers recorded saves before Kahn joined the team, with Cory Koliscak’s three in 18 appearances leading the team.
With Kahn now firmly entrenched as the closer, the rest of the bullpen also falls into place.
“It’s a tremendous help,” Garcia said. “Right now everyone’s pretty much got a role. We know who’s a long reliever, who’s a short reliever, who can pitch against lefties. We’ve got them all in there and they’re all doing great.”
Slow progress: Everett has been on fire. Going into Tuesday night’s game the AquaSox had won seven of their past nine games.
But despite the successful surge, the AquaSox have made little progress in the Northwest League’s West Division standings.
Division-leading Vancouver went 5-4 during that stretch, meaning Everett only closed from six to four games back. Second-place Salem-Keizer actually gained a game on the AquaSox, going 8-1 in its last nine to lead Everett by three.
“We can’t worry about that,” said Danny Santin, Everett’s leading hitter. “We can’t control whether other teams win or lose, but we can control whether we win or lose, and I think that’s what we’re doing. We’re going to make the best run out of it possible.”
And the kicker: If Everett was in the East Division, the AquaSox would be in first place by five games.
But as far as the AquaSox are concerned, having to fight to make the playoffs may ultimately be better than having an easy road.
“I’d say it’s better because you always love playing good competition,” Everett shortstop Rob Hudson said. “You never really find out too much about your team if you’re in a weaker division. But day-in, day-out, playing in this division makes you that much better.”
Woerman standing in: Jeff Gilmore’s turn in the rotation comes Thursday. However Gilmore, the team leader in ERA at 2.28, is skipping the start to give his arm a rest, with Joe Woerman stepping in.
Since being inserted in the rotation, Gilmore has started three times, winning twice and throwing 18 innings. Between Everett and his college season with Stanford, Gilmore has thrown 145 innings this season.
The right-handed Woerman is 0-0 with a 6.30 ERA in 10 innings with Everett this season.
Nick Patterson, Herald writer
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