Enough Aldrete!!!
EUGENE, OR: Carter Aldrete hit a three-run home run in the first inning and a grand slam in the second inning as the Eugene Emeralds scored all ten of their runs in the first three innings on the way to a 10-3 victory over the Everett AquaSox. The AquaSox jumped
EUGENE, OR: Carter Aldrete hit a three-run home run in the first inning and a grand slam in the second inning as the Eugene Emeralds scored all ten of their runs in the first three innings on the way to a 10-3 victory over the Everett AquaSox.
The AquaSox jumped out to the early lead in the top of the first inning when Noelvi Marte walked, stole second base and then scored when he stole third base and Eugene catcher Patrick Bailey's errant throw to third base went wide of Aldrete and up the left field line, allowing Marte to jog home with the game's first run.
Eugene didn't trail for long. Emeralds leadoff hitter Vaun Brown singled, Luis Matos walked and Hunter Bishop singled to load the bases with no outs in the bottom of the first inning. Casey Schmitt then walked, scoring Brown to tie the game. Bailey's sacrifice fly to center field two batters later scored Matos to put the Emeralds in front 2-1. Aldrete then hit a three-run home run over the right center field fence, scoring Bishop and Schmitt to put the Emeralds up 5-1.
AquaSox catcher Andy Thomas hit a solo home run in the top of the second inning, his seventh of the season to cut the Emeralds lead to 5-2. Aldrete answered with a home run of his own in the bottom of the second inning, a grand slam that scored Schmitt, Jairo Pomares and Bailey, putting Eugene up 9-2 after two innings.
Bailey picked up another RBI in the bottom of the third inning, singling home Bishop to increase the lead to 10-2. The game's final run was scored by the AquaSox in the seventh inning when Marte hit his eighth home run of the season over the left center field fence.
Aldrete's two home runs give him 13 this season and moved him into a tie with AquaSox Dariel Gomez for the league lead. He also now has 44 RBI on the season, third in the league. The AquaSox did get strong performances from four bullpen pitchers. Fred Villareal went 2.2 innings, allowing two hits, one earned run, two walks and one strikeout. Max Roberts retired all six batters he faced, striking out five. Tim Elliott pitched in a game for the first time since April 30 and threw a perfect seventh inning with a strikeout. Kyle Hill pitched a perfect eighth inning, striking out two batters. The AquaSox retired the final 13 Emeralds batters of the game and 16 of the final 17.
PICTURED ABOVE: Andy Thomas
PHOTO CREDIT: Jared Ravich
Game three of the six game series is scheduled for Thursday June 30. RHP Prelander Berroa (2-2, 1.76 ERA) will start for the AquaSox. The Emeralds have yet to announce a starting pitcher. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. with the pregame show beginning at 6:20 p.m. Tune in to 1380 AM/95.3 FM KRKO for all of the action.
ABOUT THE EVERETT AQUASOX:
The Everett AquaSox are the High-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners who were ranked number one by Baseball America’s 2022 Organization Talent Rankings. The roster is highlighted by shortstop Noelvi Marte. Marte is currently ranked number 11 on MLBs top 100 list and ranked number two on the Mariners top 30 prospects list. Joining Marte in Everett from the Mariners top 30 prospect list are: Outfielder Alberto Rodriguez (#8), lefthanded pitcher Adam Macko (#11), right-handed pitcher Bryce Miller (#23), and outfielder Victor Labrada (#26). Group tickets, family outings and ticket packages for the 2022 season are selling fast but still available for purchase. For more information on how you can be a part of our team this season call our office at (425) 258-3673 or visit AquaSox.com for more information.