AquaSox rally past Indians
Everett uses 4-run seventh to take 4 of 5 from Spokane
EVERETT – A couple of pitching changes proved to be the difference Saturday night in the Everett AquaSox’s 6-3 Northwest League victory over the Spokane Indians.
Spokane trailed when Everett starter Luke Burnett was pulled after six innings. Burnett walked five but allowed just two hits and left with a 2-1 lead.
Everett reliever Kyle Brown proved to be more to the Indians’ liking.
Clark Murphy singled to lead off the Spokane seventh. Danny Duron’s sacrifice bunt moved Murphy to second base. Cody Podraza drove in Murphy with a two-out single and took second when the ball was misplayed in the outfield. Daniel Lima followed with a run-scoring single to give Spokane a 3-2 lead. Podraza went 2 for 4 on the night and is leading the team with a .345 average.
Indians reliever Johnny Gunter was in line for the victory after tossing 21/3 hitless innings in relief of starter Ben Henry. But it didn’t work out that way.
Everett bounced back in its half of the seventh against Spokane reliever Reinier Bermudez.
Ben Billingsley started the AquaSox off and running with a walk. Jose Rivero was safe on a bunt down the third-base line and Anthony Phillips was safe on a bunt down the first-base line to load the bases.
Ryan Royster and Hawkins Gebbers delivered back-to-back two-run doubles to account for the win.
It was a rough first road trip for Spokane (3-5), which dropped four of the five games against Everett (5-3).
The Indians return home for a three-game series against the first-place Tri-City Dust Devils (6-2) beginning tonight at 6:30 at Avista Stadium.