Red-Hot Auerbach Ignites Emeralds to a 9-3 Victory

EUGENE, Ore. – Brett Auerbach drove in six runs, pulling the Eugene Emeralds (34-20) within a half-game of first place in the High-A West standings with a 9-3 win over the Everett AquaSox (34-19).

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Emeralds jumped out to an early 4-0 lead in the second inning thanks to five consecutive two-out base hits. Ismael Munguia drove in the game's first run with a double that scored Franklin Labour. Auerbach then crushed a three-run home run over the left-field wall, scoring Tyler Flores and Munguia.

The AquaSox chipped away at the deficit, scoring their first run of the game when a fourth-inning sacrifice fly from Jake Anchia scored Carter Bins. The ‘Sox then trimmed the Eugene lead to 4-2 in the fifth inning when Austin Shenton hit his league-leading 21st double and league-leading 45th RBI of the season, driving in Patrick Frick.

The Emeralds pulled away again in the sixth inning with another Auerbach three-RBI at-bat. This time it was a bases-clearing double that drove home Ricardo Genoves, Labour and Munguia, extending the lead to 7-2. AquaSox second baseman Joseph Rosa led off the seventh inning with a ground-rule double down the left-field line, scoring two batters later when Zach DeLoach grounded out as the ‘Sox got to within four runs.

The Emeralds added two more runs with RBI base hits from Labour in the seventh inning and Armani Smith in the eighth inning, solidifying their 9-3 victory.

WRAPPING IT UP

Auerbach went 3-for-5 with two doubles, a home run, a run scored and six RBI. It was only Auerbach's fourth game with the Emeralds since being promoted from Low-A San Jose, he was 1-for-9 with a single and one RBI in his previous three games. Emeralds’ leadoff hitter Mungia went 4-for-5 with a double, 3 runs and an RBI.

The game also marked the first time that the AquaSox failed to score a run in the first inning since June 26. This streak lasted seven consecutive games and the ‘Sox scored a combined 20 runs in the opening frame. Fred Villarreal was impressive out of the bullpen, throwing three shutout innings, allowing only three hits and no walks while striking out three.

LOOKING AHEAD

First place is on the line when the AquaSox and Emeralds return to action for the second game in the six-game series on Wednesday. RHP Matt Brash (2-2, 2.45 ERA) will start for the AquaSox and RHP Aaron Phillips (3-4, 4.91 ERA) will be on the mound for Eugene. Listen to all the game action on KRKO; the pregame show begins at 6:50 p.m. with the first pitch at 7:05 p.m.