Everett, WA - The Everett AquaSox won game two of the five-game series against the Eugene Emeralds Friday night in front of 3,971 fans, punctuated by a Robinson Canó grand slam in the seventh inning.
Everett, WA - The Everett AquaSox won game two of the five-game series against the Eugene Emeralds Friday night in front of 3,971 fans, punctuated by a Robinson Canó grand slam in the seventh inning.
The first two AquaSox batters got on base, giving Everett an early scoring opportunity in the first inning. With two outs gone, Bobby Honeyman singled to left field, but an accurate throw by Emerald outfielder Nelson Velazquez tagged Ryan Ramiz at home base.
Two-time Rawlings Gold Glove winner Canó had an incredible defensive play in the second inning. Canó dove to field a ground ball and flipped the ball over his right shoulder to Ryne Ogren who threw it to the first baseman, Nick Rodriguez, completing the Washington's Lottery double play and ending the inning.
In the fourth inning, Eugene broke the scoreless game by plating Levi Jordan from second base through a Luke Reynolds double. The Emeralds advanced Reynolds to third base on a sac-fly and were threatening to score again, but the AquaSox salvaged the inning and got out relatively unscathed, 1-0 Eugene.
After Cal Raleigh walked, Bobby Honeyman put the ball in play to the Eugene first basemen Jake Slaughter. Slaughter's throw to second was off, allowing Raleigh to advance to third base while Honeyman reached base safely because of Slaughter's fielding error. Yet again the AquaSox couldn't take advantage of a scoring opportunity, stranding two men on base.
In the fifth inning, Caleb Knight launched his first professional hit over the center field wall, giving the Emeralds a two-run lead. Eugene continued to threaten, but for the second time in the contest, Canó made an improbable defensive play after Fernando Kelli stole second base. The ball was knocked loose on the slide and Canó grabbed the ball and lobbed it to third baseman Matt Sanders tagging Kelli out.
A Frogs run finally came in the fifth inning, bringing the AquaSox within one. After Ryan Garcia hit a lead-off triple to left field, Ramiz hit a sacrifice fly to deep center field, bringing home Garcia. No more runs would score in the inning, however, and the AquaSox were still down one run, 2-1.
The AquaSox broke the game open in the bottom of the seventh inning, scoring four runs off the bat of Canó. Rodriguez, Ogren, and Sanders all got on base, loading the bases full of Frogs. Eugene then elected to bring in a new pitcher, Sean Barry, replacing Mitch Stophel. Canó unleashed on the first pitch Barry threw, launching a grand slam to center field, 403 feet. This is Canó's first back-to-back home run games since September 2, 2017, against the Oakland Athletics. Canó has now logged five hits as an Everett AquaSox. The inning would come to an end with the AquaSox on top of the Emeralds 5-2.
Nolan Hoffman would replace AquaSox reliever Dayeison Arias on the mound in the top of the ninth inning. Arias pitched 2.0 IP striking out three and only allowing one hit. Hoffman would dominate the Emeralds striking out Slaughter, Vazquez, and Knight to pick up his second save on the season.
Saturday the Everett AquaSox will play the third game of the five-game homestand against the Eugene Emeralds at 7:05 PM. Keep an eye out for the Frogs Blanket that will be given to the first 1,000 fans in attendance. Additionally, the first 500 fans in attendance will receive a K-Card from Major League Pizza to wave when a batter strikes out! All fans are encouraged to stick around after the game and enjoy Postgame Fireworks presented by IBEW/NECA.
W: D. Arias (2-0)
L: M. Stophel (0-2)
S: N. Hoffman (2)
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 the Eugene series and the remaining games of the season 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
