AppleSox End Road Trip Tonight vs Sweets
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The Wenatchee AppleSox face the Walla Walla Sweets tonight in their seventh rubber match of the season tonight at 6:35 p.m. at Borleske Stadium.
The AppleSox have entered the final game of a three-game set against a West Coast League opponent tied six times previously and have won the rubber match three times with wins on June 10 against Walla Walla, June 24 on the road at Cowlitz and July 8 at Port Angeles.
Wenatchee looks to bounce back from an 8-2 loss last night. Logan Mercado was sharp again, tossing six innings and striking out seven on a season-high 99 pitches, not just the most in a start for him but for any AppleSox pitcher this summer. The right-hander at Oregon struck out seven, one off his single-game high. Mercado's effort marked the 11th time that an AppleSox starter has tossed at least five innings in a start. An AppleSox starter has now tossed at least five innings in seven of their last 10 games but the Sox have only won four of those last seven five-or-more inning starts from their starting pitcher.
Offensively, Luc Stuka continued his impressive road trip with his second consecutive multi-hit game and his eighth this season with a single and a double. His ninth-inning double ties him with Adam Grob for the most two-baggers on the AppleSox this summer. Stuka is second to only Dakota Duffalo (nine) for the AppleSox lead in multi-hit games but tied him with his seventh two-hit night of the summer.
Michael O'Hara doubled in the AppleSox' only two runs last night for his second double in as many days at the plate.
Wenatchee looks for a turnaround performance from the bullpen tonight. After tossing four shutout innings of relief on Tuesday, they gave up six runs in Walla Walla's final two trips to the plate Wednesday. Jared Engman allowed three runs in the seventh before Alex Brady gave up three more in the eighth. AppleSox relievers have struggled this month, recording a 7.85 ERA in 47 innings pitched over 12 games.
Following tonight’s game the AppleSox return home to face the Yakima Valley Pippins tomorrow through Sunday at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium. Friday is Chelan PUD Night and Saturday is Christmas in July as fans will receive AppleSox Christmas ornaments. Tickets for all three games can be purchased at applesox.com/tickets.
Jacob Hughes starts tonight for the AppleSox. The right-hander and incoming freshman at Oregon will make his second start since rejoining the rotation a week ago and his fifth of the summer. He allowed two runs (one earned) in 2.2 innings last Thursday against Bellingham. Hughes entered that game with just three walks issued in his first 18.2 innings of the summer over six appearances but he walked three Bells before exiting. Overall, Hughes is 0-1 with a 5.06 ERA.
Hughes’ first start of the summer came June 10 against the Sweets. He earned a no decision but dazzled on the mound with only one run on four hits allowed in five innings and six strikeouts.
He’ll be opposed by Travis Craven. The southpaw from Whitman College is 3-3 with a 3.34 ERA. He has divided his 11 appearances nearly in half between starts and relief outings as tonight will be his seventh start of the summer. In 37.2 innings he has struck out 36, walked seven and allowed 36 hits.
Listen live to the action on Sunny FM at kcsyfm.com on your desktop computer or by tuning in at any of the following stations below.
Wenatchee: 93.9 FM
East Wenatchee/Rock Island: 98.1 FM
Lake Chelan Valley: 95.3 FM
Brewster/Pateros: 101.3 FM
Okanogan Valley: 101.9 FM
Omak/Tonasket/Oroville: 97.7 FM
Methow Valley: 106.3 FM
Pregame coverage begins at 6:10 p.m. with the Horan Estates Winery Pregame Show and the broadcast wraps up with the Denny’s Late Night Postgame Show. Joel Norman will provide play-by-play coverage.
Live stats can be found on Pointstreak.
