Everett Aquasox Slip by Hillsboro Hops, 4-3
The Everett Aquasox added to their winning score over the Hillsboro Hops one run at a time, downing the visitors 4-3. On a night where both teams would leave a total on nineteen runners on base, scoring proved a rare commodity.
What proved to be the winning run was scored in the fifth inning. After two outs, the Aquasox’s Jordan Cowan reached first on a throwing error by shortstop Sergio Alcantara. Logan Taylor punched a ground ball single into right field that moved Cowan over to third. Corey Simpson knocked home what became the winning run by poking a ground ball into left field. That made the score 4-1 but every bit of that lead would be needed to last through the game.
Troy Scott (4-1) pitched 1.2 innings of no runs, no-hit ball with one walk and one strike out for the win. Kyle Wilcox (S-3) pitched one inning of three up and three down for the save.
Jeferson Mejia (1-2) pitched the first six innings where all of the damage was done, and took the loss. Mejia allowed four runs (only one was earned) on six hits. He gave up two walks and struck out two. Both teams committed three errors on the night.
Hillsboro started off the scoring in the first inning where they would have their only lead of the night, albeit for a very short time. Zach Nehrir started off the game with a walk on a full count. With Stephen Dezzi at the plate, Nehrir stole second. The pick-off throw ended up hitting Nehrir in the back. With two outs in the inning, Trevor Mitsui lined to right field driving Nehrir home for the first score of the game.
In the bottom of the inning, Braden Bishop singled to right and moved to second on Jordan Cowen’s walk. Corey Simpson drove a line drive to center to score Bishop and tie the game.
The Aquasox took the lead and never let it go in the following inning. Drew Jackson singled to center field and stole second while Ryan Uhl was batting. Uhl walked on four straight balls, but it was on the fourth ball pitch where D Jackson stole third. Arturo Nieto followed with a sacrifice fly to right field and bring home the go ahead run.
An insurance run would be added in the third by the Aquasox and they would need it. Jordan Cowan lined a single to left field and stole second with Logan Taylor batting. Cowan would move to third when Taylor flew out to deep center field. Corey Simpson hit a sacrifice fly to left field that scored Cowan. Aquasox led 3-1.
The Hops did make it close. During the last few games, the Hops had came from behind several times and tried to do it again. Stephen Dezzi sliced to right center for a stand up double. Trevor Mitsui walked. Luis Veras had an infield single to shortstop Drew Jackson to load the bases with only one out. Nate Robertson singled to left and brought home Dezzi keeping the bases full. Nate Irving had an RBI single to center field scoring Mitsui. The score was 4-3 and there would be no more for either team for the rest of the night.
For the Aquasox, Corey Simpson went 2 for 3 and had three RBIs. Jordan Cowen went 1 for 3 and scored twice. Nate Irving went 3 for 4 with a double and an RBI for the Hops.
The Everett Aquasox (13-8) maintained their one-game lead over the Spokane Indians for first in the North Division. The Hillsboro Hops (11-10) dropped to two games behind the Eugene Emeralds for the lead of the South Division. The Hops took the five game series 3-2.
The Hops will come home Thursday (7:05pm) to start a five game series against the Spokane Indians. The Aquasox will travel to Boise to start their five game series against the Hawks.
By Greg Stoker