Big Third Inning Carries AquaSox To Victory, 8-3

Everett, WA - On Labor Day, the Everett AquaSox dominated the Tri-City Dust Devils in their last regular season game. It was a sloppy game by all measures, as the two teams combined for five errors and four wild pitches. The AquaSox in the third inning scored seven runs on three wild pitches.

The Dust Devils jumped ahead in the second inning. With two outs on the scoreboard, Kelvin Alarcon reached first base on an error by Everett's first baseman, Nick Rodriguez. Another AquaSox error came shortly thereafter, putting Alarcon in scoring position. An RBI single on the next at-bat by Luke Becker scored the first Tri-City run of the evening.
An interesting moment occurred in the bottom of the second inning. Dust Devil starter Manny Guzman wasn't comfortable with the baseball he was using and threw it to the Tri-City dugout, rather than to the catcher. That act was considered throwing the ball out of play, a two-base infraction. Rodriguez, who walked earlier in the inning, was advanced to third base. Jansiel Rivera then knocked an equalizing double down the left field line, bringing home Rodriguez, 1-1.
Everett exploded in the bottom of the third inning, pouring seven runs through a one-out no-one-on rally. Ryne Ogren began the onslaught with a single to right field, scoring Charlie McConnell who singled on the previous at-bat. Then, Josh Stowers reached base on a fielding error by Tri-City's third baseman Becker, and Ogren would advance to third base. Cal Raleigh walked during his at-bat, loading the bases for the AquaSox with only one out gone. Bobby Honeyman stepped up to the plate and unleashed on the second pitch he saw, blasting a double to right-center field, 4-1 AquaSox. This would end Guzman's day, who never found his form.
Rivera kept the runs coming for Everett with a sharply hit single to center field, accounting for two more Everett runs, 6-1. With Troy Dixon at-bat, the third walk of the inning loaded the bases yet again. Cesar Izturis Jr. hit a ground ball to right field on his second at-bat of the inning, scoring two more runners. When all the dust settled, the AquaSox were on top of Tri-City, 8-1.
Dust Devil first baseman, Justin Paulsen hit his fifth home run of the season in the top of the fifth inning, a solo shot over the right-field wall, 8-2 Frogs.
The final Tri-City run came in the top of the seventh inning by Becker who hit a ground ball single to right field that would shorten the gap to five runs.
Honeyman, Rivera, and Izturis Jr. all logged multiple hits in the contest. McConnell continued his hot streak, recording 12 in his last 10 games. Honeyman finished the regular season second-best batting average in the Northwest League, .346.
The AquaSox will take on the Spokane Indians in the first game of the Northwest League North Divisional Series on Wednesday, September 5 at 7:05 PM at Everett Memorial Stadium. The series will continue in Spokane on September 6 and 7 (if necessary).
W: N. Hoffman (1-3)
L: M. Guzman (1-1)
About the Everett AquaSox
The Everett AquaSox, Seattle Mariners affiliate since 1995, continue to offer the most affordable family entertainment in the Pacific Northwest. Tickets for Game One of the Northwest League Divisional Series taking place on Wednesday, September 5 at Everett Memorial Stadium against the Spokane Indians are available for purchase through our website at www.AquaSox.com or by calling our front office (425) 258-3673. To stay up to date on your Everett AquaSox, follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/EverettAquaSox or visit www.AquaSox.com