EVERETT — The Vancouver Canadians rallied late to defeat the Everett AquaSox 5-2 Saturday night at Everett Memorial Stadium.
The game was tied 2-2 going into the eighth, but Vancouver scored in both the eighth and ninth to snap the deadlock. In the eighth Franklin Barreto ripped an RBI double that found it’s way into the scoreboard in right-center, breaking the tie. Then in the ninth Tim Locastro dropped a soft liner into right-center for a two-run single, making it 5-2.
Everett brought the tying run to the plate in the bottom of the ninth, but was unable to score.
Alexis Maldonado finished 3-for-3 and Barreto smacked two doubles to lead Vancouver (11-12 second half, 36-25 overall).
Kristian Brito homered and Kyle Petty doubled twice for Everett (10-13, 21-40).
The game started a half-hour late because the Canadians were delayed at the border and arrived late.
Everett pitcher Luiz Gohara had his best start in nearly a month. The Brazilian left-hander, who turned 18 on July 31, had thrown a total of 51/3 innings in his previous three outings, issuing seven walks. But he found his control Saturday, walking just one in six innings. He allowed two runs on five hits and struck out four.
Gohara was matched pitch for pitch by Vancouver starter Daniel Lietz, who gave up two runs on five hits and a walk and struck out six over six innings. Alberto Tirado picked up the win with two scoreless innings of relief, while Phil Kish closed out the ninth for the save.
Everett catcher Adam Martin, one of the team’s top contributors, had to leave the game in the fourth inning after taking a foul tip off his throwing hand. After staying down for several moments, he tried to stay in the game, but was unable to grip the ball in order to throw it back to the pitcher.
Comings and goings
Everett returned from its three-game road trip to Vancouver with two players subtracted from the roster and one added.
Two players who had been with Everett since the beginning of the season were promoted to Clinton of the mid single-A Midwest League. The first of those was relief pitcher Cruz Pereira. The 23-year-old left-hander from Venezuela was among Everett’s six Northwest League All-Star selections, as well as one of the team’s most dependable arms in the bullpen. In 21 relief appearances with the Sox he was 0-3 with 3.42 ERA, walking 14 and striking out 42 in 442/3 innings.
The other player promoted was outfielder Wilton Martinez. The 20-year-old from the Dominican Republic was expected to be one of Everett’s power bats, but he struggled during his time with the Sox, batting just .165 with two home runs and 16 RBI in 37 games. However, his presence is needed in Clinton because of injuries.
Pereira’s place in the bullpen was taken by Trey Cochran-Gill, who was promoted from Pulaski of the rookie Appalachian League. The 21-year-old right-hander was the Seattle Mariners’ 17th-round pick in this year’s draft out of Auburn University. He was dominant in 19 relief appearances with Pulaski, going 3-0 with a 0.33 ERA and nine saves, walking four and striking out 35 in 272/3 innings.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
