The Eugene Emeralds played a long game on a Sunday afternoon at PK Park, winning a defensive battle 2-1 in 12 innings over the Spokane Indians for their third win in a row.
Rafael Narea was the hero for the Emeralds. The 12th inning started with back-to-back singled. Then, Zach Davis walked on four pitches to load the bases for Narea. He took advantage of the opportunity, smashing a ground ball to center field to bring in the winning run.
This game began nearly the same way it ended. Spokane picked up back-to back hits within the first two at-bats of the game. A walk then loaded the bases to put Spokane in business. In the next at-bat, Clayton Middleton hit into a double play but Miguel Aparicio scored from third to give the Indians a 1-0 advantage.
Emeralds’ starter Cory Abbott then struck out Austin O’Banion to end the scoring threat. Abbott went three innings, surrendering just the one run in the first inning. He held Spokane hitless in the second and third inning, before being pulled to start the fourth inning.
That was all the scoring this game would have until the ninth inning, when the Emeralds opened the inning with back-to-back singles to set themselves up for a successful inning. Austin Filiere hit a sacrifice fly to right field that was deep enough to allow Jared Young to advance to third base. In the next at-bat, Gustavo Polanco hit another deep fly ball that brought Young home to tie the game.
The bullpen was dominant for the Emeralds. They combined to pitch nine innings, only surrendering two hits. On the other side, the Indians picked up a good start from Demarcus Evans who pitched seven innings and struck out eight. He held the Emeralds scoreless with three hits.
The Emeralds record improved to 30-26 and remained a game and a half back of the division leading Hillsboro Hops.
The fourth game of this five-game series is at 7:05 pm at PK Park.
Follow Zak Laster on Twitter: @zlast3445