The Emeralds (19-10) needed to get back to playing positive baseball on Thursday night as Eugene’s two-straight losses came primarily off the back of poor plate performance.
Eugene’s bats sang and drew seven walks, while Tri-City (11-18) failed to convert on opportunities in scoring position in a game that was never close.
That was largely due to the starting performance of LHP Seth Lonsway and the relief of RHP Dylan Cumming (2-0), who secured the win for Eugene.
Tri-City’s loss went to RHP Chris Clark (0-3), who pitched 2.2 innings with six hits and as many earned runs, while only fanning four batters.
The Ems shook off the hitting difficulties early, as Tanner O’Tremba revved up the bats in the bottom of the second with a no-out double.
Scott Bandura stepped in and, in a seven pitch at-bat, singled to right center and brought O’Tremba around third to beat the tag at the plate — scoring the game’s first run.
Bandura made it to third during the following at-bat, as he stole second and a Justin Bench sac-fly brought him to third.
Thomas Gavello fought off some low pitches and rocked a single to center to send Bandura home for 2-0 Emeralds.
Gavello was repeatedly checked by both pitcher and catcher due to his strong leads, and almost got caught when catcher Kevin Bruggeman decided to try and pick Gavello off at first.
That throw sailed far over first baseman Cam Williams’ head and into deep right field. Gavello saw his chance and hustled all the way around to third safely with just one out.
Alex Suarez, who hadn’t seen any action this series, struck a deep shot into left field, which appeared to have extra bases written all over it. That was until Tri-City left fielder Joe Stewart began his stride and tracked it down in a sliding effort for the second out.
Suarez’s blast was still able to secure him an RBI, as Gavello jogged home easily with Stewart still on the ground.
After scoring just two runs in the past two games, the Emeralds put up three in just the second frame to take a firm hold of this contest.
Eugene’s early dominance was powered by some unexpected sources, as those who hit the three early RBIs were batting an average of .180 going into Thursday.
At the bottom of the third frame, the Ems responded yet again with more electric offense, as a series of walks gave Eugene a chance with one out and a runner on second.
O’Tremba hit a rope to left field, and Kachel’s hustle brought him all the way home for the fourth run of the game. The rally didn’t stop there, as a Bench single loaded the bases.
Then, a Clark balk brought in Perez from third, and Gavello tallied his second RBI of the game with a bases-clearing single that drove in the runners on second and third. Almost as quick as this one started, Eugene had posted seven runs.
That was the end of the day for Clark, as he was finally pulled from his disaster for righty Ryan Langford.
The Dust Devils added one back in the top of the fourth in their attempt to chip away at the Emeralds’ huge lead.
Lonsway was replaced by righty Dylan Cumming after 4.0 IP, five hits, two earned and two strikeouts.
Cumming mowed down his first three batters in 1-2-3 fashion and hopped up again in the top of the sixth and did the same.
The bats of both teams stopped humming, as each bullpen found ways to sit down batters by forcing weak contact.
That was until the bottom of the seventh, as righty Roman Phansalkar walked two batters into scoring position, and one was brought home on a bench single to center.
Phansalkar couldn’t get his bearings in the inning, as he walked into a bases loaded situation. McDaniel had no trouble sending a grounder to second and sending in the Emeralds’ ninth run.
