SEVEN EXTRA-BASE HITS BUOY SOX PAST PIPPINS

YAKIMA, Wash. – Behind a season-high seven extra-base hits, the Wenatchee AppleSox (16-23, 5-8 second half) defeated the Yakima Valley Pippins, 8-3, to take the season series, four-games-to-two.

A night after hitting six extra-base hits to set a single-game high in the 2018 season, the AppleSox topped it on the next night. They also recorded their fourth multi-homer game of the season with home runs from Connor McCord and Nick Seamons.

The Sox picked up the series win against the Pippins thanks to another stellar offensive output. For the third straight game, the Sox collected 11 or more hits picked up their second consecutive victory over the Pippins.

In the first inning, McCord blasted his second home run in the last three days and third of the season to plate himself and Joey Magro, who was hit by a pitch with one out. McCord moved into the team lead in RBIs with 19.

The Sox pushed their lead to 4-0 the next inning. Michael Spellacy lead off with a walk and Isaac Barrera doubled to left with one out to put runners at second and third. Magro reached on an infield single to plate Spellacy and Johnny Sage lifted a sacrifice fly to center field to make it 4-0, AppleSox.

After the Pippins scored three times in the bottom of that inning, the Sox scored three more runs of their own to re-establish a four-run lead. Cory Meyer led off with a double and scored after a pair of groundouts. With the bases empty, Spellacy singled and Seamons blasted his first home run of the season to left field.

The next inning, the Sox concluded the scoring when they loaded up the bases and J.T. Schwartz lifted a sacrifice fly to center field.

The AppleSox took four of the six games against the Pippins this season and outscored them 38-21. In the two losses, the Sox’ margin of defeat was only two runs in two tight games decided in the eighth inning or later.

Tuesday night, the Sox face the Cowlitz Black Bears at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium at 7:05 p.m. for the first of three games.

SOX SNAP STREAKS, STYMIE PIPPINS

YAKIMA, Wash. – Thanks to a season-high six extra-base hits, the AppleSox (15-23, 4-8 second half) defeated the Yakima Valley Pippins, 8-1, on Sunday night at Yakima County Stadium.

The Sox got a number of strong offensive performances to snap their four-game losing streak and the Pippins’ nine-game winning streak. Johnny Sage recorded his first four-hit game of the season, going 4-for-5 with two doubles and two runs scored. J.T. Schwartz went 3-for-5 with two doubles, a triple and 4 RBI. Evan Williams reached base twice, including via his first home run of the season.

Connor McCord provided an offensive punch as well as stymying performance on the mound. The incoming junior to Western Oregon singled three times, drove in a run and tossed scoreless eighth and ninth innings to seal the victory.

Sam Wong (2-0), making his first start in a month, allowed one run over five innings to pick up the victory. Dawson Day tossed two scoreless innings before handing the ball to McCord to wrap up the game.

After the Pippins scored a run in the first inning, they took a 1-0 lead into the fourth, but the Sox tied and took the lead that inning. Sage led off with his first double of the game and scored three batters later on a double by Schwartz. Spellacy singled to center to give the Sox a 2-1 lead, a lead they would hang on to for the rest of the game.

It was “déjà vu all over again,” as Yogi Berra would say, in the sixth inning. Schwartz again doubled in a run, this time McCord after he singled with one out. Spellacy again drove in Schwartz with a single and it was 4-1, AppleSox after five-and-a-half innings.

Williams led off the eighth first-pitch swinging with a home run off the scoreboard in left to pad the lead. In the ninth, McCord drove in Sage after he double with two outs. Williams walked, then he and McCord scored on an RBI triple by Schwartz off the right-field wall.

All but one of the AppleSox nine runs came across with two outs in the inning. Dating back to Thursday against Portland, 10 of the Sox’ last 13 runs scored have all come with two outs.

The rubber match between the Sox and the Pippins takes place tonight at 6:35 p.m. in Yakima.

Full boxscore: http://pointstreak.com/baseball/boxscore.html?gameid=476955

BAFUS STELLAR AGAIN, BUT SOX FALL TO PIPPINS

YAKIMA, Wash. – A late rally carried the Yakima Valley Pippins to a 5-4 victory over the Wenatchee AppleSox (14-23, 3-8 second half) on Saturday night at Yakima County Stadium.

The Pippins scored four runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to go from a run down to up three runs and take the series-opener with the AppleSox and win their eighth straight game.

Curtis Bafus turned in his sixth consecutive quality start, but picked up a no decision for the first time this season. The right-hander from Virginia Commonwealth University struck out eight and only allowed one unearned run on three hits over seven innings. However, the Sox could not rally to get him a victory.

The AppleSox opened the scoring in the top of the first inning by striking first for the first time in their last four games. Isaac Barrera began the game with a walk and Evan Williams singled to put runners at first and second.

With one out, Connor McCord hit a bloop single to center that put runners at first and third with one out because Williams was thrown out at second. Mason Marenco, first-pitch-swinging, singled to left field to plate Barrera and give the Sox the early lead.

Neither team scored again for the next four innings until the Pippins tied it up in the bottom of the fifth. The deadlocked game would last until the top of the eighth when Marenco reached on an error and score four batters later on an RBI single to right by Dawson Day.

With the score 2-1 going into the bottom of the eighth, the Pippins sent nine men to the plate and rallied to take the lead by drawing three walks and using an error.

In the top of the ninth, McCord drilled a two-run homer to right to cut the deficit to one, but it was as close as the Sox would get.

Game Two of the weekend set takes place at 6:05 p.m. on Sunday night.

Full boxscore: http://pointstreak.com/baseball/boxscore.html?gameid=445020

APPLESOX TAKE ON PIPPINS IN YAKIMA VALLEY

APPLESOX (14-22, 3-7 second half)

v.s.

Yakima Valley Pippins (21-18, 10-2 second half)

July 21-23

Yakima County Stadium

Probable Pitchers

Friday

AppleSox: Curtis Bafus (3-4, 2.72 ERA)

Pippins:

Saturday

AppleSox: Sam Wong (1-0, 2.38 ERA)

Pippins: Hunter French (4-2, 3.44 ERA)

Sunday

AppleSox: Alec Gomez (1-0, 3.72 ERA)

Pippins: TBD

Last Game

The AppleSox dropped the series finale with the Portland Pickles, 9-3, on Friday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

Scouting the Opponent

The Pippins are red-hot since the start of the second half. After an 11-16 record led to a last-place finish in the six-team North Division, the Pippins are 9-2 in the second half and have won eight in a row.

Yakima Valley has racked up the wins by improving offensively. They’ve scored five or more runs in nine of their last 12 games.

Kyle Dean has led the way offensively for the Pippins. He’s batting .489 (23-for-47) and has 13 RBI since July 6. The Pippins outfielder has eight multi-hit efforts in his last 12 games and has reached base safely at least once in 22 of the 23 games that he has played.

Snap the Streak

The Sox enter Saturday’s game losers of three straight. They dropped both games of the doubleheader with the Pickles on Thursday before falling last night.

This is the second time this season that the AppleSox have lost a trio of games and they look to stop the bleeding tonight. 

Tough Luck

Curtis Bafus, one of the Sox’ four All-Star representatives, has been stellar in his last two outings but has picked up losses both times.

The right-hander from Virginia Commonwealth University has tossed back-to-back outings of six-plus innings and has allowed a combined two earned runs, but the AppleSox have lost both times because they were shut out both times.

Bafus, who is second on the AppleSox in strikeouts (43) and innings-pitched (43.0) will look to buck the trend tonight.

Familiar Territory for Gomez

Sunday’s probable pitcher, Alec Gomez, will toe the rubber in familiar territory on Monday. Gomez goes to nearby Yakima Valley College, where the AppleSox coaching staff also coaches at.

Gomez went 2-1 with a 1.62 ERA this past season with the Yaks. He will make his fifth appearance of the summer on Monday.

SEAMONS STELLAR IN RELIEF, BUT SOX LOSE TO PICKLES

WENATCHEE, Wash. - Despite 5.2 innings of scoreless relief from Nick Seamons, the Wenatchee AppleSox (14-22, 3-7 second half) dropped the series finale. 9-3, to the Portland Pickles on Friday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

The Pickles scored seven runs in the third inning while sending 11 men to the plate, then tacked on two more the next inning. Gio Diaz led the way at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs.

Seamons came on in relief of Grady Miller (1-4) with one out in the fourth and tossed zeros the rest of the way. He struck out six and didn’t allow a hit until the ninth inning in his longest outing of the season.   

The Sox scored their three runs in the final three innings of the game. In the seventh, Joey Magro led off with an infield single and Michael Spellacy doubled to runners at second and third. Kody Darcy grounded out to score Magro and move Spellacy to third. A wild pitch plated Spellacy and Sox used a multi-run inning to cut the deficit to seven.

In the ninth, Spellacy walked and took second on defensive indifference. Two batters later, Isaac Barrera singled to center and Spellacy scored for the second time in three innings.

The Sox now travel to face the Yakima Valley Pippins on Saturday for the first of three games starting at 6:35 p.m.

Full boxscore: http://pointstreak.com/baseball/boxscore.html?gameid=445043

APPLESOX FALL TO PICKLES IN DOUBLEHEADER

WENATCHEE, Wash. – The Wenatchee AppleSox (14-21, 3-6 second half) dropped both games of their doubleheader with the Portland Pickles on Thursday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

The Sox and Pickles were making up a game from their postponed June 8-10 series in Portland in addition to the regularly scheduled second game of a three-game set in Wenatchee.

The Pickles scored first both games, starting with a three-run second inning in Game One. Two AppleSox errors allowed the Pickles to score a trio of runs despite not collecting any base hits.

In the third, an Evan Williams ground out cut the deficit in half. With one out, Jordan Rathbone walked and then advanced to second after Nick Seamons reached on an error. A wild pitch moved both runners up 90 feet and then Williams delivered with a grounder to the left side to score Rathbone.

Johnny Sage walked to lead off the third inning and McCord singled to put runners at the corners. As McCord dashed toward second base for a steal, the throw went over everyone’s heads and into center field allowing Sage to score. Cory Meyer singled to left to drive in McCord and tie the game.

In Game Two, the two teams combined for three home runs, but it was two by the Pickles that proved to be the difference.

Noah Cardenas opened the scoring with a two-run shot to put the Pickles up 2-0 in the second inning. In the top of the seventh, with the game tied 2-2, Mikey Perez belted a leadoff solo shot to right-center field to score the eventual game-winning run.

Before that, the Sox worked to tie it up. Kody Darcy led off the bottom of the third inning with a solo shot over the fence in dead center.

The AppleSox tied the game up with an RBI single by Joey Magro in the fifth. After Isaac Barrera reached on a fielder’s choice and stole second base, Magro plated him with a single to right.

The series wraps up on Friday night with a 7:05 p.m. first pitch at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

Full boxscores...

Game 1: http://pointstreak.com/baseball/boxscore.html?gameid=476631

Game 2: http://pointstreak.com/baseball/boxscore.html?gameid=445042

BOYD'S COMPLETE GAME LEADS SOX PAST PICKLES

WENATCHEE, Wash. – Behind Hunter Boyd’s complete-game effort, the Wenatchee AppleSox defeated the Portland Pickles, 10-1, on Wednesday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

 Boyd matched a season-high with eight strikeouts and took a shutout into the ninth inning to toss his longest outing of the season and the first complete game of the year for the AppleSox. The right-hander and Moses Lake native faced the minimum in six of his nine innings to pick up his fourth win of the season.

Offensively, the AppleSox posted their third-double digit effort of the season. Connor McCord went 2-for-4 with a home run and a walk and Evan Williams also went 2-for-4 while singling twice, walking and driving in a run. Jordan Rathbone went 3-for-4 with two doubles and three runs scored and Jacob Prater reached base in four of his five plate appearances.

The scoring began in the fourth inning when the Sox got two runs thanks to an error. Prater led off with a walk and with two outs Rathbone doubled to put runners at second and third. Kody Darcy hit a ball to short that was thrown away and into the visiting dugout to allow both runs to score.

The next inning, the Sox loaded the bases and cashed in. Williams and McCord singled and Prater was hit by a pitch to load up the bases. A wild pitch drove in Williams to make it 3-0.

The scoring didn’t stop there. In fact, the AppleSox had their best inning of the game in the sixth. Rathbone led off the sixth with a double and Darcy reached on an error. Isaac Barrera singled to center to plate Rathbone and then Barrera and Darcy both came home on a three-run home run by McCord, his first of the season.

The next inning similarly started with Rathbone reaching base, this time via a single. Darcy followed with a walk and Barrera singled again to load up the bases. Williams drew an RBI walk to plate Rathbone and make it 8-0, AppleSox.

After a pitching change, Darcy scored on a wild pitch during McCord’s at-bat. Prater reached on an error and that allowed Barrera to score to bring in the AppleSox’ 10th run of the game.

Boyd looked poised to toss the AppleSox’ first shutout of the season, but allowed a leadoff home run in the ninth. However, he recovered to toss the complete game and save the AppleSox bullpen from any usage prior to Thursday’s doubleheader.

The Sox and Pickles will meet for a twin bill at 5:05 p.m. on Thursday evening at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium. The second game of the doubleheader will begin approximately 30 minutes following the conclusion of the first game. Tickets for the originally-scheduled 7:05 p.m. game will be valid for both games of Thursday’s doubleheader.

Full boxscore: http://pointstreak.com/baseball/boxscore.html?gameid=445041

APPLESOX FACE PICKLES IN PORTLAND'S FIRST VISIT TO WENATCHEE

APPLESOX (13-19, 2-4 second half)

v.s.

Portland Pickles (23-12, 6-3 second half)

Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium

July 18-20

The AppleSox start their post-All-Star Break schedule at home against the Portland Pickles for four games in three days starting tonight.

After facing the first-half North division champions, the Bellingham Bells, for six games prior to the All-Star Break, the AppleSox now prepare to face the first-half South division champions, the Pickles.

The two teams last faced each other in a doubleheader on June 11. Portland won both games by scores of 3-0 and 9-0 at Walker Stadium. The three originally-scheduled games from June 8-10 were all postponed due to rain. The third and final game of that series will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Thursday.

Probable Pitchers

Wednesday

Pickles: Colin Suter (2-1, 2.14 ERA)

AppleSox: Hunter Boyd (3-1, 4.93 ERA)

Thursday (Game 1)

Pickles: Michael Newstrom (2-3, 2.66 ERA)

AppleSox: Michael Spellacy (1-1, 3.46 ERA)

Thursday (Game 2)

Pickles: TBD

AppleSox: Tyler Chipman (0-0, 7.56 ERA)

Friday

Pickles: Daniel Copeland (0-1, 2.45 ERA)

AppleSox: Grady Miller (1-3, 5.08 ERA)

Promotions

Thursday: Horan Estates Winery Night. Enjoy wine tasting on the third-base side of the ballpark.

Friday: Foster Family Night sponsored by Sunny FM.

Scouting the Opponent

The Pickles enter Wednesday’s game hot as winners of four straight and five of their last six.

Portland may be the most well-rounded team in the West Coast League. The Pickles are tied for the league lead in batting average (.287) and are second in ERA (2.62)

There is an abundance of league-leaders across the Pickles roster. Brad Bonnefant leads the league in saves (6) Gio Diaz is second in batting average (.362) and first in stolen bases (15) and Joey Cooper is tied for first in extra-base hits (16), just to name a few league-leaders.

Last Game

The AppleSox picked up their second extra-inning victory of the season with a 6-3 win over the Bellingham Bells on Sunday at Joe Martin Field. Jake Taylor blasted a pinch-hit three-run homer in the top of the 11th to give the AppleSox the lead for good. J.T. Schwartz went 3-for-4 at the plate and hit his first home run of the season in the second inning.

Home Runs = Victory

Sunday’s victory was the second time this season in which the AppleSox hit multiple home runs in a game. Along with an 8-7 victory over the Port Angeles Lefties on June 24, the Sox are now 2-0 in games in which they hit multiple home runs. Overall, the Sox are 6-2 in games when homering.

DOUBLEHEADER WITH PICKLES SCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY

Due to rain postponing the original dates for all three games of the AppleSox' series with the Portland Pickles from June 8-10, the two teams will play a doubleheader on Thursday at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

First pitch is scheduled for 5:05 p.m. The second game of the twin bill will take place approximately a half hour following the conclusion of Game 1. Both games will be seven innings instead of nine.

Tickets for Thursday's originally scheduled 7:05 p.m. game are valid for both games.

This will be the second doubleheader of the season between the AppleSox and the Pickles this season. As a makeup of the first two games of the series, the Pickles took both games on June 11 at Walker Stadium.

The AppleSox begin their post-All-Star Break schedule on Wednesday night with a 7:05 p.m. game against the Pickles for the series-opener. Tickets are available for purchase on applesox.com.

Before the game, AppleSox players and coaches will be appearing at Pybus Market from noon until 1 p.m. to sign team posters. Fans are encouraged to come out to meet the team and get their own free poster as a keepsake of the 2018 season. There is no cost to attend or get a poster.

BAFUS USES MEDITATION TO HELP EARN ALL-STAR START

"Baseball is 90 percent mental. The other half is physical."

Though his math was off, Yogi Berra's main message was simple and understandable: if you aren't mentally locked in, you can't hope to succeed in baseball. Physical ability is extremely important, but an unfocused athlete can only perform so well.

For AppleSox right-hander Curtis Bafus, getting properly prepared mentally is key to his gameday routine. It's also a big reason why the right-hander from VCU is the starting pitcher for the North division in the West Coast League All-Star Game.

Bafus has been a workhorse for the AppleSox this season. Through seven appearances, six starts, Bafus is 3-4 with a 2.72 ERA. His 43 strikeouts and 43 innings-pitched are both second in the West Coast League in their respective categories. 

Since allowing six runs in 4.2 innings in his first start of the year on June 2, Bafus has not allowed more than three earned runs in any of his six other appearances and has tossed at least six innings in all of them. 

“I’m just trying to be more consistent and work hard every day," Bafus said.

Fans may only see Bafus warming up on the bullpen or shagging fly balls in batting practice, but it's what the fans don't see that is a pivotal element of his gameday pre-start rehearsal. 

About two hours before first pitch, Bafus likes to find a quiet place to sit and meditate. He likes to picture success in hope that it will build a confidence that he can take onto the mound with him.

"I’ll just sit down and visualize me throwing strikes in the zone," Bafus said. "I feel like that helps a lot.”

Despite winning the West Coast League Pitcher of the Week honors for his work from July 2-8, Bafus has picked up consecutive tough-luck losses. Bafus has only allowed a combined two earned runs over 13.1 innings in his last two starts, but the Sox fell to Walla Walla, 2-0, on July 8 and again to Bellingham, 2-0, on July 14. 

The most recent outing was one of Bafus's finest this season. He struck out nine in 6.1 innings and did not walk any batters in an appearance for the second time this season.

In that performance, pitching coach Riley Drongesen said that Bafus's fastball wasn't even at its peak potential. Typically, his fastball is between 89-to-91 miles per hour, but Bafus was averaging upper 80's this past Saturday. 

"He used that to his advantage," Drongesen said. "Stuff-wise, not his most electric, but man, did he pitch his butt off as far as competitiveness." 

The ability to still perform well even without your best stuff can be contributed back to Bafus's meditation before the game. By picturing himself succeeding and ingraining that positive outlook in his mind, Bafus feels that he can overcome whatever adversity comes his way.

"It’s very important in this sport," Bafus said, "because you’ve got to deal with a lot of failures, so overcoming that is huge.”

Meditation has worked very well for Bafus. It has provided him with the proper mindset entering starts and has translated into a successful summer. Over the last couple weeks, Bafus has reaped the rewards of his work and that will continue on Tuesday night in Port Angeles.

TAYLOR PINCH-HIT HOMER LEADS SOX TO VICTORY

BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Jake Taylor blasted a three-run pinch-hit home run in the top of the 11th inning to buoy the Wenatchee AppleSox () past the Bellingham Bells, 6-3, on Sunday afternoon at Joe Martin Field.

The AppleSox salvaged the three game-set with the Bells by winning their second extra-innings contest of the season.

Taylor, the third pinch hitter of the inning, blasted his third home run of the season over the left-center  field with one out to lead the AppleSox to a victory in their final game before the All-Star Break. Before Taylor played hero, Evan Williams led off the inning with a single and J.T. Schwartz walked to set the stage.

Grady Miller tossed a scoreless 11th inning to pick up his first save of the season.

Prior to the AppleSox’ breakthrough in extras, neither team had scored since the seventh. The scoring began in the first inning when the Bells scored first for the sixth consecutive game in the series on an RBI groundout.

The Sox didn’t take long to respond, scoring twice in the top of the second to take the lead. Schwartz blasted a two-run homer over the right-field fence after Jordan Rathbone was hit by a pitch to give the AppleSox a 2-1 lead.

In the top of the seventh, Schwartz continued his big day with his third hit of the ballgame, a lead off single. After being sacrificed over, Schwartz scored on an RBI single by Isaac Barrera to make it 3-1, AppleSox.

However, the Bells struck back in the seventh inning with two runs as seven men came to the plate.

Connor McCord started and tossed six innings for one of his finest performances of the summers, only allowing one unearned run. In both the third and fourth innings, he got out of bases-loaded-and-one-out jams. McCord received a no decision despite the stellar outing.

The Sox don’t play again until Wednesday night against the Portland Pickles because of the West Coast League All-Star Game. Curtis Bafus, Mason Marenco, Cory Meyer and Jeremy Yelland will represent Wenatchee in Tuesday’s game in Port Angeles. Yelland will compete in the Home-Run Derby on Monday night and Bafus will start for the North division in the All-Star Game.

Full boxscore: http://pointstreak.com/baseball/boxscore.html?gameid=444959

APPLESOX DROP SECOND GAME OF SERIES VS BELLS

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Despite a stellar pitching performance from Curtis Bafus, the Wenatchee AppleSox fell to the Bellingham Bells, 2-0, in a tight game on Saturday night at Joe Martin Field.

Bafus matched a season-high with nine strikeouts and tossed six scoreless innings before allowing a couple runs with one out in the seventh inning. Unfortunately for Bafus and the AppleSox, it was his second straight start in which he went six innings and allowed only one earned run, but suffered the loss. 

In a game in which the two teams combined for 10 hits, the Bells got half of theirs in the seventh. After a single, an error and a fielder's choice, back-to-back RBI singles to left field gave the Bells the only runs that they needed and would get in Saturday's win.

The Sox will try to salvage the series on Saturday when they face the Bells for the final time at 3:05. It's the final game for both teams before the All-Star Break.  

Full boxscore: http://baseball.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=444958

APPLESOX FALL TO BELLS ON FRIDAY NIGHT

BELLLINGHAM, Wash. - The Wenatchee AppleSox (12-18, 1-3 second half) dropped the series opener with the Bellingham Bells, 13-1, on Friday night at Joe Martin Field.

The AppleSox and the Bells met for the fourth consecutive day, this time for the first time in Bellingham. It was the Bells who picked up a win for the third consecutive day.

Centerfielder Evan Williams went 2-for-3 to extend his hitting streak to five games, but the AppleSox could not stop a potent Bells' offense. Williams recorded his second consecutive multi-hit game in the loss.

The Bells stuck with what worked in the last two games and scored first. For the third straight game, Bellingham struck first and never trailed. In the first inning, Matt Jones blasted a two-run home run for his third long ball in as many days to give the Bells a 2-0 lead. 

The AppleSox cut the deficit to one in the third inning when an error helped bring in their only run. Nick Seamons led off by putting down a bunt single and Williams reached on a walk two batters later. Johnny Sage hit a ball that shortstop Dylan Stroup could not handle, and Seamons rounded third to score with the extra time. 

Bellingham plated two more runs in the bottom of that same inning to regain a multi-run lead. They scored three more in the sixth and six runs in the eighth to score double-digit runs in back-to-back games. 

The two teams met again on Saturday night at 6:35 p.m. in Bellingham.

Full boxscore: http://westcoast.wttbaseball.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=444957

SOX AND BELLS PLAY AGAIN, NOW IN BELLINGHAM

APPLESOX (12-17, 1-2 second half)

v.s.

Bellingham Bells (21-11, 3-3 second half)

July 13-15

Joe Martin Field

After playing three games in Wenatchee, the AppleSox and the Bellingham wrap up their six-games-in-six-days series with three in Bellingham beginning tonight.

The AppleSox took Tuesday’s series-opener with a 6-2 victory over Bellingham, but the Bells won the series with a 6-2 victory on Wednesday and a 10-4 triumph last night.

This is the final series for both teams before the West Coast League All-Star Game, which takes place on Tuesday night in Port Angeles. Curtis Bafus, Mason Marenco, Cory Meyer and Jeremy Yelland will represent the AppleSox in the mid-summer classic.

Probable pitchers

Friday

AppleSox: Dawson Day (0-0, 3.00 ERA)

Bells: Nick Hull (0-1, 3.37 ERA)

Saturday

AppleSox: Curtis Bafus (3-3, 2.94 ERA)

Bells: Chris Micheles (0-0, 1.08 ERA)

Sunday

AppleSox: Connor McCord (1-4, 6.15 ERA)

Bells: Grant Holman (0-0, 1.30 ERA)

Struggles After Game 1

The AppleSox have been stupendous in series-openers this season, winning the first game of a three-game series six of nine times. That means that six of the Sox’ 12 West Coast League victories this season have come in Game 1 of a three-game series.

Despite winning each of their last three series openers, the AppleSox are 4-5 in their last nine. Taking Games 2 and 3 of the season has not been as easy for the Sox in 2018.

Allowing the First Run

In each of the three games in Wenatchee, the Bells scored first against the AppleSox. Game 1 was the only time that the Sox rallied back to claim a victory after allowing the Bells to score first. This season, the AppleSox are 4-9 when their opponent tallies the games’ first run.

Men Left On

Last night was only the sixth time that the AppleSox stranded 10 or more runners in a game. The Sox stranded 11 runners, one off their season-high. Four innings ended with the Sox stranding two runners on the basepaths.

The toughest was when they loaded the bases in the fifth with one out, but could not get any runs as a double play ended the inning.

THREE POST MULTI-HIT GAMES, BUT SOX FALL TO BELLS

WENATCHEE, Wash. – The Wenatchee AppleSox, (12-17, 1-2 second half) dropped the series finale to the Bellingham Bells, 10-4, on Thursday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

Michael Spellacy (1-1) turned in a solid outing on the mound, allowing three runs (all unearned) in five innings, but the AppleSox could not get him the victory. The right-hander from Gonzaga struck out a season-high six batters.

Three different Sox players recorded multi-hit games, but they could not overcome stranding 11 baserunners and four errors.

For the third time in the last three days, the Bells got the game’s first run and added a couple more. Bellingham scored three times in the top of the first and sent eight men to the plate.

The Sox struck back in the bottom of their first run. With two outs, Johnny Sage reached on an error and Connor McCord doubled to right-center a pitch later to plate Sage.

 In the third, the Sox cut the deficit to one. Evan Williams singled with one out and Isaac Barrera and Mason Marenco followed up with walks to load the bases. Sage grounded out to third, but drove in Williams on the play.

After the Bells got three more by similarly bringing eight men to the plate in the sixth, the AppleSox plated two of their own. Cory Meyer led off with a walk and Evan Williams singled three batters later. A wild pitch moved them to second and third base and Isaac Barrera plated both with a single to make it 6-4, Bellingham.  

The Bells capitalized and added four more runs in the eighth inning to conclude the scoring.

After three games in Wenatchee, the two teams now travel to play three more in Bellingham starting tomorrow night at 6:35.

Full boxscore: http://pointstreak.com/baseball/boxscore.html?gameid=445040

SOX DROP SECOND GAME AGAINST BELLS

WENATCHEE, Wash. – The Wenatchee AppleSox dropped the second game of their three-game set with the Bellingham Bells on Wednesday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

Bellingham evened up the series of six games in six days between the opponents after the AppleSox won the first game on Tuesday night, 6-2.

For the second straight game, Bellingham struck first. The Bells used a walk, a balk, a wild pitch and a sacrifice fly to plate their first run of the game in the top of the second. They added another in the third to take a two-run lead and would hold a multi-run lead for the rest of the game

Matt Jones hit a three-run shot in the fifth inning to pad the Bells lead and make it 5-0, Bellingham, but the AppleSox responded in the bottom of the inning.

Evan Williams hit a two-run double to right-center field to get the Sox on the board. Dawson Day reached on an infield single and A.D. Pena walked with two outs before Williams plated both a batter later.

The Bells added another run in the top of the seventh for their final run of the game.

Pena was a bright spot for the AppleSpx offense, going 1-for-2 with a double and two walks. He scored one of the AppleSox two runs.

The series in Wenatchee concludes tomorrow night when the Sox host the Bells at 7:05 p.m. Michael Spellacy goes against Nick Nastrini of Bellingham in the series finale.

PRATER'S BIG NIGHT LEADS TO APPLESOX VICTORY

Behind a four-RBI game from Jacob Prater, the Wenatchee AppleSox (12-15, 1-0 second half) defeated the Bellingham Bells, 6-2, on Tuesday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

Hunter Boyd picked up his second consecutive win in as many starts by allowing two runs, one earned, in six innings. Boyd finished a strikeout shy of matching his season-high of eight.

Alec Gomez returned to the team and tossed the final three innings to pick up his first save of the season. Using a curveball and an added changeup, Gomez struck out five of the 12 batters that he faced.

In the first inning, both teams traded runs. The Bells cashed in with a singular run on two errors to take the initial lead.

However, the Sox struck back in the bottom half. With two outs, Johnny Sage and Connor McCord both walked and Prater plated both with a three-run shot. Prater’s first dinger of the season was also the Sox’ second three-run home run of the season.

A sacrifice fly in the top of the second with the bases loaded drew the Bells a bit closer. However, with the Sox up 3-2, Boyd minimized the threat and didn’t allow any other runs to score.

The scoring wouldn’t stop there though. After J.T. Schwartz singled and stole second, he moved to third on an infield single by Isaac Barrera. Schwartz and Barrera teamed up to give the AppleSox a 4-2 lead by a executing a double steal.

The Sox added two more runs in the third inning on back-to-back RBI singles. After Sage reached on a two-base error, Prater drove in his fourth run of the game with a drag-bunt single. On the throw to home, Prater went to second and he scored on Cory Meyer’s RBI single, his team-high 16th RBI of the season.

The Bells and the AppleSox battle again on Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m. Grady Millers tosses for the Sox against Wesley Moore in the second game of the three-game set.    

Full boxscore: http://pointstreak.com/baseball/boxscore.html?gameid=445038

FOUR APPLESOX NAMED 2018 WEST COAST LEAGUE ALL-STARS

Tuesday afternoon, the West Coast League announced its All-Star rosters for the 2018 game in Port Angeles on July 17. Curtis Bafus, Mason Marenco, Cory Meyer and Jeremy Yelland were selected by commissioner Rob Neyer to represent the Wenatchee AppleSox in the mid-summer event.  

Bafus is 3-3 with a 2.94 ERA in six appearances, five starts, this summer. He is second in the West Coast League in innings-pitched, 36.2, and is third in strikeouts, 34. The VCU right-hander was named the West Coast League Pitcher of the Week for the week of July 2-8 by only allowing one earned run in two starts. He struck out 11 batters and only walked three in 13 innings-pitched. Bafus has tossed at least six innings in five of his six appearances this season, including tossing the final six innings against Port Angeles on June 24 to earn the victory.

Marenco is batting .284 and leads the AppleSox with 10 extra-base hits and a .481 slugging percentage. The redshirt freshman at Gonzaga is also tied for the team lead with six doubles this season and is tied for second with two home runs. On June 24 against Port Angeles, Marenco went 3-for-4 with two doubles, a home run and three RBI. His two-run homer in the eighth inning brought the AppleSox from a run down to a one-run lead and an eventual win. 

Meyer, a recent transfer to Boise State, is hitting .299 and leads the AppleSox with three home runs and 16 RBI. On June 27, the Sox catcher became the first player in AppleSox history to hit two grand slams in a West Coast League game. He set the AppleSox single-game RBI record with eight runs driven in in the 13-2 victory over the Bend Elks. Meyer recently had his 14-game reached-base streak, the longest for any AppleSox player this season, snapped. His eight multi-hit games are tied for second-most on the team.

Yelland has no record and has not allowed any earned runs in seven appearances (one start) for the AppleSox. Yelland is the only player in the West Coast League to have made at least seven appearances and not allow an earned run. Five of his seven outing have been for multiple innings, including consecutive scoreless four-inning performances on June 26 against Bend and July 3 v.s. Yakima Valley. Yelland's 22 strikeouts are sixth on the team and he has only allowed one extra-base hit in 14.2 innings.

The Sox have six games to go before the All-Star Break including tonight's game. All six are against the Bellingham Bells. The AppleSox will get July 16 and 17 off before beginning their post-All-Star-Break schedule on July 18 against the Portland Pickles.

APPLESOX BEGIN SIX-STRAIGHT GAME STRETCH VS BELLS

APPLESOX (11-15)

v.s.

Bellingham Bells (19-10, 1-2 second half)

July 10-12

Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium

The Wenatchee AppleSox begin their second-half schedule on Tuesday night with the first of six consecutive games against the first-half North Division Champions, the Bellingham Bells.

While the Bells already have a 2018 playoff spot secured, the AppleSox begin the second half looking to claim the North Division’s other available spot. The first three games of this six games in six nights series will take place in Wenatchee, before the final three in Bellingham start up on Friday.

Probable Pitchers

Tuesday

Bells: Taylor Davis (2-0, 0.61 ERA)

AppleSox: Hunter Boyd (2-1, 6.07 ERA)

Wednesday

Bells: Wesley Moore (0-0, 3.05 ERA)

AppleSox: Grady Miller (1-2, 5.40 ERA)

Thursday

Bells: Nick Nastrini (3-0, 0.64 ERA)

AppleSox: Michael Spellacy (1-0, 4.28 ERA)

Promotions

Tuesday: Stitch & Pitch Night and Taco Tuesday

Wednesday: IBEW Night

Thursday: Cascade Autocenter Night

Scouting the Opponent

The Bells, like every team besides the AppleSox, have already begun their second half and are fresh off a 5-0 loss to the North Sound Emeralds in a non-league game on Saturday. Before that, Bellingham split a two-game set with the Corvallis Knights.

The Bells have been sensational on the mound this season and currently lead the league with a 2.12 team ERA. Six of their nine pitchers who have made at least five appearances all have ERA’s bellow 3.00.

Tough Road Ahead

Tonight is the first of six straight games against the First Half North Division Champions, the Bellingham Bells. However, that isn’t the end of a tough stretch for the AppleSox.

The back-to-back series with Bellingham take the Sox into the All-Star Break, but the competition doesn’t decrease afterwards. After two days off, the AppleSox host the First Half South Division Champions, the Portland Pickles.

While it is a difficult couple of weeks ahead, the increased competition could bring out the best in the Sox. If they were to win the majority of the next nine games, that would bode well for starting the second half.

Bafus Earns League Honors

Monday night, AppleSox right-hander Curtis Bafus was named the West Coast League Pitcher of the Week. Bafus is the first Sox pitcher to win the award this season.

Last week, Bafus pitched twice, only allowing one earned run across two starts. On July 2, he hurled six scoreless innings and struck out eight to garner the win in a 4-0 AppleSox victory over Yakima Valley.

The second outing was equally strong as Bafus allowed one earned run over seven innings against Walla Walla on July 8. Bafus has impeccable control in his two starts, only walking three batters in a combined 13 innings.

The righty from VCU enters play tonight third in the WCL in strikeouts (34) and second in innings-pitched (36.2). Overall, Bafus is 3-3 with a 2.95 ERA this summer.

FORMER APPLESOX PITCHER GONZALES MAKING MARK WITH MARINERS

When Marco Gonzales came to the Wenatchee AppleSox in the summer of 2010, he was just like any other baseball player in his position. Only 18, Gonzales was playing against college athletes for the first time in his baseball career.

That could have intimidated anyone. Gonzales was just looking to get in work before beginning school at Gonzaga in the fall. He could have come and gone with the blink of an eye like so many others do.  

Before the summer of 2010, Gonzales had been drafted by the Colorado Rockies and could have gone pro immediately. Had he done this, he never would have played with Wenatchee.

Instead, Gonzales gained an eternal place in AppleSox history.

“It was truly one of the most special summers of my life,” Gonzales said.

In that summer, Gonzales led the league with 66 strikeouts and was a crucial part of the 2010 West Coast League Championship AppleSox squad.

Playing with the AppleSox not only gave Gonzales ample opportunity to prepare to be a college athlete, but to also grow as a person.

“You look back on it and you think, ‘wow, those were some pretty special times.’ Especially as a college kid or as a high-school kid going into there, you start learning things, learning lessons that teach you how to be a man on and off the field.

“Some of my best friends have come from that team, guys that I still talk to today.”

Gonzales followed up the summer by going to Gonzaga and continuing that summer success. In three years there, he won two co-West Coast Conference Player of the Year Awards, a Freshman of the Year Award, a WCC Pitcher of the Year Award and a John Olerud Award.

Following his junior season, Gonzales was drafted 19th overall in the MLB First-Year Player Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals.

Even with all the success in college, there have been roadblocks along the way for Gonzales as a professional. After making his major-league debut in 2014, the next three seasons were tumultuous. Nagging shoulder injuries in 2015 and Tommy John Surgery due to elbow pain in 2016 limited Gonzales to only one appearance.

He returned in 2017, but amidst a crowded Cardinals’ rotation. Gonzales started a game in June with St. Louis for his first appearance on a major-league mound since September 2015. It would be his final appearance with the team that drafted him.

The Cardinals shipped Gonzales to the Mariners a week before the 2017 trade deadline. It may have been the best thing to happen to Gonzales.

Adversity dealt Gonzales a harsh reality as a pro. However, he refused to let it define him. Gonzales said his “love of the game,” pushed him to keep persevering.

“I think I have such a passion for just being out there and contributing to a win,” Gonzales said. “I had no idea where this path would take me, but I think just fighting every day and finding something to get better at and just trying to keep that dream alive.”

This season, Gonzales is healthy and thriving. He leads the Mariners with nine wins and has a career-best 3.64 ERA. He’s tossed six or more innings in 13 of his 18 starts and is a huge part of the Mariners playoff push in 2018.

Health has been a huge part of Gonzales’s season, but he has also changed his mindset.

“I think I just made a good mental shift this year,” Gonzales said. “I’m staying aggressive, I’m attacking guys, I’m not shying away. I’m not trying to be timid out there, just really attack the zone and give us a chance to win, ultimately.”

The crown achievement of the season thus far was when Gonzales tossed a complete game in a 4-1 victory over the Kansas City Royals on June 29. Gonzales struck out seven, allowed six hits and didn’t walk any batters.

After getting out of an early jam, Gonzales only felt stronger as the game went on.

"I think from the first inning on, after I picked that guy off of second base, I felt like ‘ok, I can start rolling here. We can start filling up the zone,’ and my arm was feeling great.”

Entering the season, the Mariners gave Gonzales a huge vote of confidence. Manager Scott Servais named the Gonzaga southpaw a starter during Spring Training, thus entrusting Gonzales with a hefty burden.

“The fact that I’m put out there every fifth day,” Gonzales said, “means I have a big responsibility in getting us a win. I take pride in preparing for that every fifth day and just doing my work every day to make sure that I’m healthy.”

Even with all the success since and the brief time he spent here, Gonzales is still grateful for his summer in Wenatchee. He made a point to give his host family, Rob and Tracy Thompson, a shoutout. Rob and Tracy also hosted Marco’s younger brother, Alex, who spent the 2016 and 2017 seasons with the AppleSox.

As Gonzales continues his already impressive baseball career and looks to help lead the Mariners to their first playoff berth since 2001, he still hasn’t forgotten about Wenatchee and his special 2010 summer here.

“It was very special times and I’m very thankful for it,” Gonzales said. “The people that are there is what I’ll remember most.”