Michael Morales Wins 6th Straight Game

June 12, 2024 - EUGENE, OR: Michael Morales threw six strong innings, allowing only one run on the way to his sixth consecutive win as the AquaSox ended a three-game losing streak, and defeated the Eugene Emeralds 5-1.

Bill Knight gave the Sox an early 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning by hitting his fifth home run of the season over the left-field fence. The home run came off of Emeralds starter Jack Choate who entered the day with a 2.11 ERA over eleven games this season. Choate pitched five solid innings and Knight’s bomb was the only run he allowed during the game.

The Emeralds tied the score at 1-1 in the bottom of the fourth inning on back-to-back base hits to start the inning. Onil Perez led off the fourth by hitting a line drive into right-center field. Knight made a diving attempt to catch the ball and came close to making a miraculous play however the ball deflected off of his glove. Right fielder RJ Schreck quickly retrieved the ball and threw a relay to second baseman Brock Rodden as Perez hustled around the base paths. Rodden threw a perfect laser over to third base as Perez slid head-first into the bag, just beating the throw for a lead-off triple. The next batter was Andrew Kachel and with the infield pulled in hoping for a play at home plate, Kachel hit a line drive that hopped in front of Rodden and off of his glove for an infield single, scoring Perez.

The score would remain 1-1 until the top of the sixth inning. Relief pitcher Will Bednar entered the game for the Emeralds and immediately had control issues, starting with walking Rodden to lead off the inning. Rodden advanced to second base on a wild pitch and then went to third on a Victor Labrada ground out. Bednar then struck out Josh Hood for out number two but then loaded the bases by walking Schreck and hitting Knight with a pitch. With the bases loaded and Caleb Cali at bat, Bednar threw a pitch that deflected off of the catcher’s glove of Perez. The ball got behind Perez who had to hustle to the backstop to retrieve it. Rodden recognizing an opportunity to score, sprinted home from third base. Perez quickly picked up the ball and threw to Bednar who was covering home. The throw beat Rodden who slid toward the plate head first. Bednar went to tag Rodden’s left hand however Rodden quickly pulled his hand back to his body, avoiding the tag and then extended his right arm toward the plate, tagging it safely for the go ahead run and giving the AquaSox a 2-1 lead. Rodden extended his scoring streak to five consecutive games and has scored one or more runs in 13 of the last 15 games that he has played in.

The AquaSox added on insurance runs in the eighth inning. Freuddy Bautista increased the Everett lead to 4-1 with a one-out bases-loaded double off of the centerfield fence, scoring Hood and Schreck. Gabriel Moncada followed with an RBI single that scored Cali for the 5-1 advantage. It was Moncada’s second hit of the game.

Michael Morales was credited with the win, his sixth consecutive, and improved his record to 7-1 with a 2.45 ERA on the season. Morales is 6-0 in his last seven starts and his ERA is 1.38 during that stretch. The AquaSox have won all seven of his starts.

The AquaSox bullpen was also outstanding as Tyler Cleveland, Holden Laws, and Juan Burgos combined to throw three scoreless innings, allowing one hit, two walks, and three strikeouts.

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LOOKING AHEAD: Game three of the six-game series between the AquaSox and Emeralds is scheduled for Thursday, June 13 at 6:35 p.m. RHP Marcelo Perez (1-3, 5.80 ERA) will start for the AquaSox and RHP Manuel Mercedes (2-3, 5.25 ERA) for the Emeralds. The AquaSox return home to the friendly confines of Funko Field on June 18 for a six-game series against the Hillsboro Hops. Following the series against Hillsboro, Everett will remain at Funko Field for another week, squaring off against the Spokane Indians in a six-game series beginning Tuesday, June 25. Get your tickets now and hit a home run by starting your summer with AquaSox baseball!

ABOUT THE EVERETT AQUASOX: The Everett AquaSox are the High-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. Everett is a member of the Northwest League and has been a Mariners affiliate since establishing the AquaSox moniker in 1995. For updates on the 2023 season, community initiatives, and Webbly appearances follow the Frogs on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok, or visit our website, AquaSox.com. Flex tickets, ticket plans, group outings, and picnics outings can be purchased by calling (425) 258-3673 or visiting the AquaSox Front Office at 3802 Broadway.