Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota was named to the Manning Award watch list along with fellow Pac-12 QBs Sean Mannion, Taylor Kelly and Brett Hundley. Mariota and last year’s Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel highlight the list of 30 finalists. The award was created by the Allstate Sugar Bowl in honor of the college football accomplishments of Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning, according to allstatesugarbowl.org. Finalists were selected based on ESPN’s new QBR rating system, and the winner will be voted on by a media panel which includes each of the Mannings. You can learn more about the Manning Award here.

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The Eugene Emeralds defeated the Tri-City Dust Devils 4-3 Thursday night, narrowly escaping a late inning comeback. Ems closer Adam Cimber entered the game in the eighth inning with a 4-0 lead and gave up three runs on one swing of the bat — a bases clearing double by Michael Benjamin. But Cimber eventually closed the game out in the ninth, picking up the save and securing the win for the Emeralds. The two teams will face-off again tonight at 7:15 p.m. in Tri-Cities, Washington.

***

Former NFL head coach Bill Parcells heads a class of seven Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees to be inducted on Saturday in Canton, Ohio. Parcells coached the Giants, Patriots, Jets and Cowboys, winning Super Bowls XXI and XXV with the Giants. Parcells boasts 183 career victories and turned around each of the four franchises he coached. He will be joined by former players Cris Carter, Larry Allen, Curley Culp, Jonathan Ogden, Dave Robinson and Warren Sapp.

The Eugene Emeralds managed just two hits in their 3-2 loss to the Tri-City Dust Devils, the first game of a five-game series. The Dust Devils committed three errors, which the Ems capitalized on, helping them score two runs despite the low hit total.

Eugene got the scoring started early, plating a run in the first inning. Ronnie Richardson led off the game with a single and advanced to third on a throwing error by shortstop Patrick Valaika, who fielded a ground ball hit by Anthony Torres and misfired to second base. Hunter Renfroe drove in Richardson with a sacrifice fly to left field, putting the Ems up 1-0.

Tri-City responded in the home half of the inning. With two outs, Michael Tauchman reached first on an error by Trae Santos to keep the inning alive. It continued when Valaika and Sean Dwyer drew consecutive walks to load the bases. Michael Benjamin came through with a two-run single to give the Dust Devils the early 2-1 advantage.

Eugene’s only other hit of the game came in the fifth inning, a single by Marcus Davis. Fortunately for the Ems, they once again capitalized on Tri-City’s mistakes, scoring their second run in the sixth following a pair of errors. With Renfroe aboard and two outs, Santos reached base safely on a throwing error by Cesar Galvez, then Santos advanced to second while Renfroe scored on an error by catcher Chris O’Dowd.

The Ems got out of a jam in the sixth when a single and a pair of walks loaded the bases with two outs, but reliever Tyler Hale induced Kyle Von Tungeln to ground out to retire the side. Tri-City added a run in the seventh, though, when Dwyer hit a sac fly to right scoring O’Dowd.

The Ems drew a walk in both the eighth and ninth innings, but to no avail. Shane Broyles and Dust Devils closer Trent Daniel shut the door, securing the victory.

Eugene starter Jimmy Brasoban pitched well over four innings, allowing two un-earned runs on four hits with four punch-outs, lowering his ERA to 2.93. The 19-year-old right-hander has been one of Eugene’s most reliable starting pitchers this season, consistently lasting five innings and holding opposing hitters to a .185 average. Relievers Tony Rizzotti, Hale (1-1) and Josh Richardson were effective, but the two runs that resulted from the Santos error were the Ems’ downfall.

Antonio Senzatela, Broyles (4-0) and Daniel combined to shut down Eugene’s bats, recording 10 strikeouts against two walks with both runs being un-earned.

Three Emeralds will represent the South Division in the Northwest League All-Star Game – the league’s first since 2004. Brasoban (2-2, 2.93) will be joined by fellow pitcher Erik Schoenrock (2-3, 2.98) as well as Santos (.271, 3 HR, 16 RBI) and Richardson (.288, 2 HR, 12 RBI). The game will take place on August 6 at Everett Memorial Stadium in Everett, Washington.

The Eugene Emeralds dropped the final game of their five-game series with the Vancouver Canadians 7-0, but will begin their road trip as the division leaders.

Vancouver’s offense was fueled by three home runs — all no-doubters hit by Dan Arcila, L.B. Dantzler and Brenden Kalfus. The Canadians scored their first run in the opening frame when Ian Parmley walked, stole second and then scored on a throwing error by Anthony Torres. Arcila got the power party started in the second inning with his first homer of the year, a moon shot to right center to add on to Vancouver’s 1-0 lead.

Ems starting pitcher Erik Cabrera (0-6) had some control issues, giving up three walks and throwing three wild pitches, all happening in the third inning and led to a Vancouver run. Cabrera allowed five hits over four innings, but was hurt by giving up walks and wild pitches, as well ad the Torres error. He showed some poise in the fourth when the bases were loaded with one out. He retired David Harris and Dickie Thon to strand the bases loaded and keep the deficit at 3-0.

Kalfus added two runs in the fifth with his first long ball of the season — a towering shot that landed on the roof of the Emeralds bullpen. Dantzler added insult to injury with his team-leading seventh home run in the eighth with a man on.

The seven runs were plenty for Canadians starter Shane Dawson and his bullpen. Dawson lasted four innings, giving up just one hit while fanning six Ems hitters. Matt Dermody (3-1), Garrett Pickens and Chuck Ghyseis allowed a hit apiece over the final five innings, completely shutting down Eugene’s bats.

The Emeralds couldn’t get much of anything going offensively, getting the leadoff man aboard twice and advancing runners past first on just two occasions.

Overall, the series with Vancouver went well for the Ems and they swung the bats well, scoring 22 runs (4.4 per game).  Manager Jim Gabella said the club looks forward to the upcoming road trip with their focus on forgetting about Tuesday’s loss.

“We’re doing a lot of good things, you know. We’ve won eight out of 12 games … but like I say everyday, tomorrow’s another day,” Gabella said. “We lost today, their pitchers did a nice job. We’ll come out tomorrow and keep working.”

The Ems will travel to the Tri-Cities to take on the Dust Devils, whom the Emeralds are 3-2 against this season. The Dust Devils are currently 3-5 in the second half of the season.

One of the difficulties that comes with not only managing a professional baseball team but also playing for one is the chance of getting traded. With the Major League Baseball trade deadline looming, players may find out that tonight’s game with their team was their last. Gabella said no transactions have occurred that he’s aware of.

“No news is good news,” Gabella chuckled.

The trade deadline is Wednesday July 31 at noon Eastern Time.

The Eugene Emeralds won another game in late innings on Monday night, defeating the Vancouver Canadians 5-3 for their third consecutive victory. The Ems have won five of their first seven games to start the second half of the season, and the club’s win Monday night put them in sole possession of first place in the South Division of the Northwest League.

The second half has been completely different for the Ems, who struggled to succeed consistently, and finished third in the first half. They’ve come from behind and capitalized on their opponents’ miscues, stringing hits together and manufacturing runs when needed.

“The biggest thing is coming out and working hard like they’ve been doing and taking the things that we work on into the games, they’ve been doing that,” manager Jim Gabella said on Eugene’s second half turnaround.

The Ems scored four runs in the bottom of the eighth to take the lead for good. Trailing 3-1, Wynton Bernard and Michael Bass recorded back-to-back singles with one out, setting the table for Hunter Renfroe, who doubled home Bernard and cut the lead to 3-2. Trae Santos was intentionally walked to load the bases and set up a double play possibility, which Vancouver nearly got. Fernando Perez hit a ground ball to first baseman L.B. Dantzler who threw home to get the force out. Catcher Michael Reeves sent the return throw into right field, allowing Renfroe to score, tying the game and prolonging the inning. Henry Charles would capitalize with a big knock — a two-run double to put the Ems up 5-3, the eventual final score.

“Teams that win games take advantage of mistakes and we did that today … In the end you’ve got to give our guys credit for not getting down and always fighting,” Gabella said. “It’s a lot of fun to win, a lot of fun.”

The Canadians scored all of their runs in the sixth inning off reliever Michael Kelly. A single by Dickie Thon and walks by Dantzler and Andy Fermin with no outs put Kelly in a tough spot. Justin Atkinson cleared the bases with a double to center, giving Vancouver a 3-1 lead. Kelly would retire the next three batters in order, stranding Atkinson at third.

Emeralds starter Bryan Verbitsky made his first appearance since suffering an injury that caused him to miss his last scheduled start. He tossed three scoreless innings, allowing one hit with one walk and one strikeout. He continues to keep hitters out of rhythm this season, lowering his ERA to 2.45. Kelly, Tyler Hale (1-0) and Adam Cimber worked as a unit to finish off the Canadians.

Tom Robson made his first start for Vancouver after being promoted from the Bluefield Blue Jays, Toronto’s rookie team. He worked through 5.2 innings, keeping Ems hitters at bay, allowing one unearned run on three hits.

Bernard, Charles and Michael Miller collected two hits apiece for Eugene, with Charles and Renfroe contributing two RBI each.

The five-game series will conclude Tuesday night at PK Park, with the Ems having already won three out of four.

The Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees agreed to a trade that will send Alfonso Soriano back to the Bronx. The Cubs will pay $17.7 million of the remaining $24.5 million Soriano is owed through next season. Soriano is having an solid 2013 season, hitting .254/.287/.467 with 17 home runs and 51 RBI and will help the Yankees contend in a very competitive A.L. East. In exchange, Chicago will receive minor league pitcher Corey Black, who’s currently playing for the Single-A Tampa Yankees.

***

The Eugene Emeralds beat the Boise Hawks 5-4 Thursday night courtesy of a walk-ff hit from Trae Santos. With two outs and a runner on second, Santos hit a single to center to drive in Hunter Renfroe and win the game. The Ems (15-26) are off to a good start to begin the season’s second half, taking two of three contests from the Hawks. Eugene can still make the playoffs if they compile the best record in the South Division over the second half of the year. Next up, the Emeralds will look to continue their hot start against the Vancouver Canadians (24-17), who come to town for five games.

The Eugene Emeralds won the rubber game of their three-game series with the Boise Hawks, winning a wild one on a Trae Santos single in the bottom of the ninth with two outs. Ronnie Richardson started the inning off by singling to left field. He attempted to win the game for the Ems on Hunter Renfroe’s double, but was cut down at home plate on the relay from shortstop Carlos Penalver. The next batter was Santos, and his single back up the middle was enough to score the speedy Renfroe and secure the win, and the series, for the Emeralds.

The Ems collected 14 hits during the game, four of which came from Richardson who went 4-for-4 in the win. Renfroe, Santos, Michael Bass and Fernando Perez each added two hits to contribute to a packed box score. Eugene’s bats have been coming around lately, helping the team to two consecutive wins and a series win to begin the second half of the season.

The Ems got the scoring started early when Richardson scored on Paul Blackburn’s wild pitch. Later, Perez would single home Henry Charles with two outs, giving Eugene an early 2-0 advantage. Boise then answered in the second, loading the bases with one out and capitalizing on Jacob Hannemann’s game-tying single, scoring Lance Rymel and Jose Dore.

Some small ball and fielders choice plays lead to both teams plating runs in the third, tying the score at four, and it would stay that way until the top of the lineup’s heroics in the ninth.

The run that ended up winning the game for Eugene almost ended up being the tying run. In the top of the ninth, David Bote doubled with one out and advanced to third on an error, giving the Hawks a golden opportunity to score a late run and put the pressure on the Emeralds. Instead, Travor Gretzky struck out to end the threat.

The bullpen was on lock down once again for the Ems, allowing three hits in five innings of relief of Starter Erik Cabrera. Coby Cowgill, Kyle Lloyd and Adam Cimber (1-1) fanned five Hawks hitters without allowing a single walk.

After being a hit or two away from multiple victories during their recent road trip, the Ems have showed the ability to hit for contact and power, and come from behind to win ballgames, an encouraging sign to begin the second half. Although they’ve only played three games, the Emeralds look like an improved bunch that are finally breaking through after being on the brink of success all season long. There’s still a long way to go until the postseason in September, but even cautious optimism points to this club being a contender to win the South Division and sneak into the playoffs.

Eugene continues their home stand Friday against the Vancouver Candians, who took three of five games from the Ems last weekend. Richardson, Renfroe and company will have a shot to redeem themselves over the next five games against their rivals from the North.

It was Christmas in July on Wednesday night at PK Park, and the Eugene Emeralds were rewarded for their good behavior with a 5-1 win over the Boise Hawks. The victory pulls the three-game series even at one win aside with the rubber match set for Thursday night.

The bats were alive and well for the Ems, who belted two home runs and added three doubles and one triple. Hunter Renfroe contributed two extra-base hits, an RBI double in the fourth and a long home run to left field in the sixth. Renfroe went 3-for-4 on the night with two runs scored and two runs batted in. Fernando Perez also added some pop, hitting his second homer of the season and adding a double to round out his 2-for-3, 2 RBI night.

Aside from improved hitting, the Ems pitching staff was in complete control all night, led by starter Christian Miller.

“It was a good game, it started with the pitching. Christian Miller did a great job,” said manager Jim Gabella. “He gave us a spot start and did a great job for four innings.”

Miller allowed four hits and no runs in his four innings of work, striking out two and walking one along the way. The 6-foot-3-inch lefty was recently promoted from the Arizona Rookie League and made his first start for the Emeralds.

Unfortunately for Miller, four innings weren’t enough to get credit for the win. Jeffrey Enloe picked up the win in relief (2-2), and was helped by bullpen mates Josh Richardson and Adam Cimber.

“[Richardson] and the rest of the guys took over, it was quality, quality pitching today,” Gabella said of his bullpen, which combined to allow a single run on five hits through five innings.

Boise’s lone run of the ballgame came in the eighth inning on a fielder’s choice, scoring Jacob Hannemann and crediting Yasiel Balaguert with the RBI.

Eugene didn’t score in bunches, rather they slowly added to their lead inning by inning. Renfroe and Henry Charles hit back-to-back doubles to account for the game’s first run in the fourth, and they were followed by Perez two batters later, who rapped the Ems’ third double of the inning, allowing Charles to score from second.

Renfroe would add on in the sixth, when he tattooed a ball well over the left field fence for his third home run of the season. Perez continued the theme an inning later, hitting a towering home run to right center, increasing Eugene’s lead to 4-0. Ronnie Richardson added an insurance run with a sacrifice fly in the eighth, scoring Felipe Blanco who tripled to lead off the inning.

Boise matched Eugene in the hits column with nine, but went 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position, stranding nine men on base. Logier Padron (2-3) was saddled with the loss, and relievers Jasvir Rakkar and Eddie Orozco each allowed at least one run, adding insult to injury.

The series will commence Thursday with projected starting pitchers Duane Underwood (BOI) and Erik Cabrera (EUG).

The second half of the 2013 season didn’t start the way the Eugene Emeralds had hoped. The visiting Boise Hawks took game one of the three-game series 6-0. The Ems matched the Hawks in the hit column, but Boise’s hits came in a more timely fashion and they were also helped by inaccuracy on the mound.

Starter Tayron Guerrero (1-2) walked three batters in his two innings of work before leaving with what manager Jim Gabella called “tightness in his forearm.” Guerrero made his second start of the season for the Ems and put them in a hole early, allowing three earned runs to score.

The first of those runs came in the third inning, when Jacob Rogers walked with the bass loaded to force home Carlos Penalver. Jacob Hannemann scored one batter later on Miguel Del Castillo’s passed ball, giving the Hawks a 2-0 lead. Boise tacked on two more in the fourth when Daniel Lockhart drove in Hannemann and David Bote. The damage could have been worse, but Ems right fielder Hunter Renfroe threw a laser from foul territory to cut down Lockhart at third, trying to stretch the base hit. Rogers crushed his fifth home run of the season in the fifth to increase the lead to 5-0.

Eugene didn’t have many chances to score, advancing runners past first base just three times. Their best opportunity came in the fifth with two outs when Malquiel Brito singled with two outs to load the bases, but they would stay that way as Anthony Torres grounded out to end the inning. The Ems had runners in scoring position again in the eighth, when Brito and Henry Charles advanced on Corbin Hoffner’s wild pitch. Renfroe flied out, again stranding potential runs on base.

“We just have to get consistent, you know, that’s the game of baseball,” said Gabella on the start to the second half of the season. “Whether it be a team winning games or a player with his career (and) moving up, consistency is what makes everything go around.”

The short season class A baseball season is split into two halves, granting playoff berths to the team that finishes with the best record at the end of each half. So even though the Emeralds finished the first half in third place, each team has an equal chance at claiming the second playoff spot.

“Every player needs to improve their skills, that’s one of our goals,” Gabella said. “When we started the season we had team goals to try to win a championship, and we had player development goals for every player to develop his skills … they’re doing that slowly, it doesn’t come overnight … they’re working hard and they’re getting better.”

The second half provides an opportunity for the Ems to start over and make a run at the postseason, which will begin September third.

Boise starter Dillon Maples (1-0) struck out seven over five shutout innings, collecting his first win of the season. Second overall pick Kris Bryant went 0-for-5 with five strikeouts in his Hawks debut.

The Eugene Emeralds kick off their three-game series with the Boise Hawks tonight at 7 p.m. at PK Park. The Ems are returning home after playing eight straight contests on the road, winning two and losing six.

Tayron Guererro (1-1) will be making his second start of the season for Eugene. He got roughed up in his last start, giving up six runs (four earned) over 2.1 innings. He’s pitched well in relief and has an overall ERA of 2.77 in four games with the Emeralds.

His counter-part will be Dillon Maples (0-0), who has pitched just three innings for the Hawks this year. He’s experienced some trouble with his command so far, giving up five walks in limited action. Maples was ranked as the Cubs sixth best prospect entering the 2013 season and was named the Gatorade North Carolina High School Player of the year in 2011, according to milb.com.

Tonight’s game will begin the third series of the season between the two clubs, and to this point the Hawks have handled the Ems, taking five of the first six games. Eugene was on the cusp of three victories last time the two teams played, losing by final scores of 5-4, 8-6, and 6-5 in Boise.

Although the Emeralds finished the first half of the season in third place in the South Division of the Northwest League, Tuesday marks the start of the second half, making the first half of the season essentially meaningless except for the team that finished first. The Salem-Keizer Volcanoes won the division in the first half of the season (23-15) and clinched a playoff berth. Another spot is up for grabs, and it’s anybody’s ballgame.

Former Oregon Ducks closer Jimmie Sherfy didn’t have to travel far to begin his professional career. After being selected in the 10th round of June’s Major League Baseball draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks, Sherfy was assigned to pitch for the class A Hillsboro Hops — just two hours north of where he played college ball.

In his final collegiate season, Sherfy was a semi-finalist for the Golden Spikes Award, which is given to the nation’s top college baseball player. He converted 21 saves last season to rank third in the nation and saved 19 games the year before, finishing one save shy of the Division I leader. Sherfy was instrumental in Oregon’s success in 2012 and 2013, helping the team to consecutive appearances in the opening rounds of the College World Series.

The Camarillo, Calif. native was named to several pre-season watch lists prior to the 2013 season and landed a spot on the ABCA/Rawlings first-team All-America list in 2012.

Sherfy’s new pitching coach is former Major League All-Star and Cy Young award winning pitcher Doug Drabek, and he says Sherfy is having no trouble succeeding in the pros.

“He’s been consistent as far as throwing strikes, keeping the ball low in the zone and putting up zeroes,” Drabek said.

Putting up zeroes is the norm for Sherfy, who finished the 2012 and 2013 seasons with ERAs of 2.20 and 2.25, respectively. He wasn’t fazed by the pressure he faced on the mound, either. In fact, that’s what made him excel.

“I love (the pressure),” Sherfy told the Emerald in May. “I love it. If I go in with a four- or five-run lead, it’s iffy. Once it’s one or two runs I’m most dialed in. When the pressure is on, I love it.”

Thus far for Hillsboro, Sherfy has been flawless in two appearances, allowing a single hit with three strikeouts in two innings of work, picking up his first professional save Thursday night.

“He just gives you that guy that’s been in that role before and is used to the pressure and the situation,” said Drabek on adding Sherfy to the staff. “He’s done it before and seems comfortable doing it.”

Sherfy was affectionately nicknamed “Wild Thing” among the Ducks faithful for his flowing blonde hair and what Drabek calls “not just your everyday vanilla wind-up.”

“Obviously his ability to throw strikes and get guys out (is important.) The ball comes out of his hands real good, he locates his fastball, his slider is sharp. He comes at you with a different motion … there’s something a little different in there.”

Sherfy has athletic genetics on his side, too. His father Brad coached men’s golf at UCLA from 1996 to 2002 and took home All-American honors as a golfer for the Bruins in 1978, according to GoDucks.com.

Sherfy’s playing days in Hillsboro may end up being just a pit stop on the long road to the major leagues, but for now, the Hops have a closer they can turn to consistently and with confidence.