The Eugene Emeralds beat the Boise Hawks 3-2 at PK Park Wednesday evening, avoiding extra innings with a run in the bottom of the ninth.
Eugene got on the board first, with a run by shortstop Zack Short in the sixth. Short got on base with a fielder’s choice to get Yeiler Peguero out, after he singled to lead off the inning. Short then stole second, and later scored on a double into right field by Chris Pieters. This was Pieters only hit of the game; he now has an average of .282 and 30 RBI on the season.
Boise clapped back in the seventh, scoring two, temporarily taking a 2-1 lead. Campbell Wear and Daniel Suero crossed the plate for the Hawks.
Without wasting any time, the Emeralds tied it back up, scoring one in the bottom of the seventh. After a drawn walk and a stolen base by Trent Giambrone, D.J. Wilson smacked a line drive, allowing Giambrone to score. Wilson was out at second.
The game remained tied until the second batter of the bottom of the ninth. With one out, Kevonte Mitchell doubled with a hit to right field, and later scored on a single by Giambrone.
Giambrone went 2 for 3 Wednesday evening, adding to his .267 season batting average. He has also accounted for 15 RBI.
Emeralds starting pitcher Dylan Cease was nothing less than stellar against the Hawks, striking out eight before being pulled in the fourth inning due to a rising pitch count. Duncan Robinson relieved him, lasting three innings and succeeding in keeping the Hawks off of the board.
Then, with two out in the top of the seventh, Josh Conway was brought in, who gave up three walks and two runs before striking out Jacob Bosiokovic to end the inning.
As soon as the eighth inning began, Tyler Peitzmeier replaced Conway, and had three-up, three-down in the eighth and ninth.
Eugene’s 13 game win streak, which began with a victory over Vancouver on August 5th, is the longest for the Emeralds so far this season. They will take on Boise again at home on Thursday at 7:05, where 6-0 starting pitcher Manuel Rondon will take the mound.
Follow Alexa Chedid on Twitter @alexachedid18