Everett Tops Tribe

Harvey Hargrove wouldn’t describe himself as an outfielder or a leadoff hitter.

Funny, he fit in pretty well at both spots Friday.

Hargrove hit the first pitch of the game for a home run, starting the Everett AquaSox toward an 11-5 decision over the Spokane Indians at Seafirst Stadium.

Hargrove, more precisely Harvey Hargrove Jr., played in right field instead of his accustomed spot in the infield because the parent club Seattle Mariners moved Everett outfielders Mike Marchiano and Fernando Espino up to Class A Wisconsin on Friday. Marchiano was leading the Northwest League with 15 home runs, while Espino was hitting .336, third-best in the league.

“I had my first (professional) start in the outfield (Thursday),” said Hargrove, who played some outfield during three years at Sacramento State. “It was a little weird being out there, but it brought back memories.”

Hargrove brought back some memories for the Indians in the second inning when he hit the first pitch from reliever Scott Key for a two-run double and 5-0 lead. Ramon Valera, the next hitter, doubled in Hargrove.

“I’m not going to go after that first pitch if it’s off-speed,” Hargrove said. “But if I get fastballs like I did tonight, I’ll swing.”

Spokane’s Justin Pedersen (5-2, 3.21) makes his final start of the regular season at 7:05 tonight against Joel Pineiro (3-2, 5.86).

Notes

Everett also played without second baseman Jermaine Clark (.337), who is second in league batting. Clark has missed four or five games with a wrist injury… . Spokane center fielder Goefrey Tomlinson (.335), fourth in league batting, is limited to pinch-hitting for the rest of the year because of sore hamstrings… . The Indians and AquaSox will wear old-style uniforms for tonight’s game. Spokane will dress as the 1902 Smoke Eaters, Everett as the ‘05 Smoke Stackers.

, DataTimes