In front of a sold out home crowd, the Eugene Emeralds (10-11) edged out the visiting Spokane Indians (15-6) to grab the series win. After dropping two games earlier in the series, the Emeralds closed it out with two straight wins (4-2).
“They’re still learning,” manager Robbie Wine said about his team. “We worked them (Indians) hard this week. Hopefully this bust trip isn’t too bad tonight.”
Despite a rough offensive start, the Emeralds finished with good performances on both sides of the field. In addition to just giving up one run against the league leading Indian batters, the Emeralds also consistently got on base, which resulted in two momentum-changing runs.
Following two scoreless innings to begin the game, the Emeralds took the early lead in the bottom of the third. With a lead-off ground-rule double to left field from Jose Carlos Urena, the Emeralds got it going.
A Jalen Goree RBI single to right field put the Emeralds on the board, while a Marcus Davis RBI double to center field capped off the inning.
“Trying to bounce back; a little rough first part of the season, so we’re trying to come together as a team,” Goree said. “I think all the guys are staying here for the season so everybody is getting along pretty good.”
The Indians answered back in the fifth inning. While they began the inning with two early outs, Jose Trevino doubled to left field giving the Indians their first and only score. The Indians did have some missed offensive opportunities, but for the most part, the Emeralds defense held their own to close out the game.
The Emeralds gave up five total hits this game.
In the bottom sixth, the Emeralds added three more runs. Beginning with a Michael Miller RBI double to left field, the Emeralds continued to fill the bases until the end of the inning. A Goree RBI single to left field would bring one last run for the Emeralds to seal the deal.
It was a good outing for the Emeralds on the mound. Starting pitcher Adrian DeHorta (1-1) was awarded the win and gave up five hits and one run during his five innings.
“If they keep us in games like this, we got a shot at every game,” Wine said about his pitchers.
Continuing his good streak, as well as replacing DeHorta was Travis Radke (2-0), who threw a no-hitter during his two innings. He finished with three strikeouts. Last game, Radke retired four consecutive batters.
Leading the Emeralds offensively were Goree and Davis, who combined for three hits and one run. The Emeralds finished with a total of eight hits.
With no direct relation to the win, the Emeralds put on their yearly fireworks show for Independence Day as a busy PK Park crowd called it a night.
The Emeralds will now travel to Boise, Idaho to face the Boise Hawks (9-11) in a three game road series. Friday’s matchup is set for a 6:35 p.m. start.
Follow Hayden Kim on Twitter @HayDayKim