Viñeros Edge Everett

The top of the order again led the attack for the Viñeros de Tri-City (14-25 2H, 43-59) Thursday night, scoring all three runs in a 3-2 win over the Everett AquaSox (18-21 2H, 49-55) at Gesa Stadium.

After Everett scored in the top of the 1st inning for a 1-0 lead, SS D’Shawn Knowles and DH Kyren Paris teamed to score runs for the third straight night, both reaching the pay station in the 3rd inning. Knowles led off with a double to left field, and Paris dropped a bloop single into shallow center field to put runners on the corners with one out.

1B Gabe Matthews then grounded out to the right side, scoring Knowles to tie the game at 1-1. CF Joe Stewart then legged out a two-out infield single to give Tri-City a 2-1 lead. That would be all AquaSox starter Jordan Jackson (0-2) would give up, with the righty receiving a tough-luck loss.

Viñeros starter Nick Mondak gave his team a second straight good outing, giving up a run on four hits and striking out four while walking none. The lefty hit his pitch count an out shy of five innings, though, leaving it to the bullpen.

Brandon Dufault (1-2) backed Mondak up, getting out of the 5th inning and pitching two scoreless innings for the righty from Windham, New Hampshire’s first professional win.

The 2-1 score held all the way to the bottom of the 8th inning, when 3B Osmy Gregorio led off the inning with a single. Gregorio stole second and third on the basepaths, putting an insurance run 90 feet away. RF Steven Rivas then hit a fly ball to left field that crossed up Everett LF Cole Barr, falling for an RBI double and pushing the Viñeros lead to 3-1.

The home side needed the insurance, as AquaSox SS Ben Ramirez hit his first High-A home run off Tri-City reliever Ivan Armstrong to make it a 3-2 game. A pinch-hit single by Victor Labrada put the tying run aboard but Armstrong closed the door by striking out Everett DH Robert Perez, Jr. to get his first High-A save of 2022.

The Dust Devils now lead the six-game series two games to one, with game four of the series coming at 7:05 p.m. Friday night at Gesa Stadium. Lefty Brent Killam (1-1, 4.44 ERA) gets the start for Tri-City, while Everett sends righty Juan Mercedes (5-6, 4.64 ERA) to the mound.

It’s a Family Feast Night Friday, with $2 hot dogs and $1 bags of chips, ice cream sandwiches and 12 oz. Coca-Cola products available all night. It’s also Scout Night, with local Scouts camping out overnight on the field following the game.

The game broadcast begins with the King Beverage Budweiser Pregame Show at 6:50 p.m. at dustdevilsbaseball.com and the MiLB First Pitch app.

Tickets for Friday night's game, the weekend, and all games are on sale now. Ticket packages are also available and start at just $99, and special ticket rates are available for groups of 20 or more. For more information on Dust Devils single game, season, mini-plan (11, 22, 33) and group tickets, visit dustdevilsbaseball.com or call 509-544-8789.