Spokane's Seventeen Runs Snap Sox Streak

SPOKANE, WA: The Spokane Indians (7-8) came out swinging Thursday night, ending the Everett AquaSox (10-7) six-game winning streak with a convincing 17-8 victory.

Reigning Northwest League Player of the Week Jonatan Clase put the AquaSox out in front on the third pitch of the game when he hammered a lead off home run over the right field fence. It was Clase's league-leading fifth home run of the season.

Spokane tied the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the first inning when Sterlin Thompson scored on a Braxton Fulford single. Spokane bats erupted for three home runs in the second inning, accounting for all five of their runs in the inning. Zach Kokoska gave the Indians the lead with a two-run homer. Nic Kent followed Kokoska with a solo shot of his own, then Thompson hit a two-run blast scoring Benny Montgomery to hand Spokane a 6-1 advantage after two innings.

Seattle Mariners top prospect Harry Ford trimmed the Spokane lead to 6-3 with a third-inning two-run home run over the right field wall that scored Blake Rambusch. Spokane responded with another run in the third inning when Jordan Beck doubled home Yanquiel Fernandez for a 7-3 score. The Indians expanded the lead to 9-3 in the fourth inning on a Fulford sacrifice RBI, that scored Montgomery, and then, Fernandez drove in Thompson on a single.

The Sox cut the six-run deficit in half in the top of the fifth inning with two more home runs; a solo shot by Randy Bednar, his first of the season, and then a two-run shot by Clase that also drove in James Parker. Clase's home run was his second of the night and sixth of the season, cutting the Spokane lead to 9-6.

But Spokane was far from done, blowing the game wide open in the fifth inning, scoring eight more runs. The Indians connected for six hits in the inning, including three doubles and a two-run home run by Beck that closed out the scoring for the inning and put Spokane ahead 17-6.

The AquaSox scored the game's final two runs in the top of the seventh inning. Alberto Rodriguez hit an RBI single scoring Clase. Rodriguez then came in to score just two batters later on a Ben Ramirez groundout.

*Wrapping It Up:
*Clase went three-for-five with a double, two home runs, three runs scored, and 3 RBI. Clase is 18/46 in the last 11 games, with 10 walks, three doubles, six home runs, 15 runs, 15 RBI, 10 stolen bases and with a slash line of .391/.500/.848 during that stretch. Rodriguez finished the game three-for-five with a run and RBI. Rodriguez is 9 for 14 (.643) over the first three games against Spokane this week with two doubles, a home run, five runs, and six RBI. Ramirez was one-for-five with a double and extended his hitting streak to six games. AquaSox catcher Charlie Welch came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth inning, retiring all three hitters he faced, and getting all three to fly out.

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PICTURE: James Parker
PHOTO CREDIT: James Snook

LOOKING AHEAD:

Game four of the six-game series is scheduled for Friday, April 28. LHP Reid VanScoter (2-0, 1.13 ERA) will start for Everett and RHP Victor Juarez (1-0, 3.38 ERA) will start for Spokane. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. and the pre-game show begins at 6:15 p.m. Tune in to 1380 AM/95.3 FM for all of the action.

The Frogs return to the friendly confines of Funko Field with a six-game homestand against the Tri-City Dust Devils starting on May 2. Join us for Baseball Bingo, Funko Friday, and more exciting entertainment when the AquaSox return.

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, TikTok or visit our website, AquaSox.com. Season 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.