After an explosion of 11 runs in the first game of the series, the Eugene Emeralds held the Spokane Indians scoreless in a 6-0 victory Friday night at PK Park.
The Emeralds started the scoring in the third inning. Indian’s pitcher Tyler Phillips hit leadoff hitter Robert Garcia. Euegene’s DJ Wilson singled into center to send Garcia to third, and Wilson eventually reached second on a stolen base. Andruw Monasterio hit a single into center field that sent Garcia and Wilson in to score, and on the throw to the plate, Manasterio reached second. After a fielders choice sent Manasterio to third, Chris Pieters hit a fly ball that fell perfectly in between the left fielder and the foul line. Manasterio strolled home while Pieters hustled to second. A Wladimir Galindo single drove in Pieters for the final run of the inning to give the Emeralds a 4-0 lead.
Phillips was pulled for the right-handed pitcher Kelvin Vasquez after three and two thirds innings. He allowed eight hits and five runs.
Spokane threatened in the top of the fourth when first baseman Carlos Garay grabbed the first hit of the evening for the Indians with a single to left, and Seth Spivey reached first after a hit by pitch. With runners on first and second, Luis Terrero grounded into a 6 – 4 – 3 double play with Garay advancing to third. With a runner in scoring position, the Indians could not capitalize as Xavier Turner grounded out.
The Emeralds added one more run in the fourth. With runners on first and second, Wilson grounded to first, and the throw on the double play attempt from Indian’s Robert Garcia sailed over the second baseman’s head. Yeiler Peguero scored from second and the Emeralds had runners on the corners. Garcia was charged with an error, and Eugene led 5-0.
The Emeralds would eventually load the bases in the bottom half, but could not capitalize, leaving the runners stranded to end the inning.
While the Emerald’s offense was clicking, so was the pitching.
The big left-hander Bryan Hudson allowed zero runs on one hit in five innings pitched.
Michael Knighton took his place in the sixth and allowed the Indians to get their best scoring chance of the night. After two infield singles, a fielders choice out at third, a fly ball out and a hit-by-pitch, the Indians had the bases loaded with two outs. Knighton had himself in a bind, and the Indians were one swing away from making it a 5-4 game.
However, Knighton was able to strikeout Alex Kowalczyk, and the Indians left the bases loaded with nothing to show for it.
For insurance, Eugene added a run in the seventh. Kevonte Mitchell reached first on a base on balls then proceeded to steal second. He reached third on a wild pitch, and scored on another wild pitch after that.
For the Emeralds, right-handed pitcher Tommy Nance entered the game in the eighth after Knighton finished with two innings pitched, two hits allowed and no runs.
Nance made quick work of the Indians by allowing one hit in two innings pitched. He finished the game for Eugene.
Hudson earned the win as his record moves to 1-1 with a 0.90 earned run average. Phillips earned the loss and dropped to 1-1 with a 4.15 earned run average.
Eight of nine batters reached base for the Emeralds and their six runs were scored by six different players.
With the victory, the Emeralds move to 5-3, and they tied the series at 1-1 with the Indians.
Game three will take place at PK Park at 7:05 p.m. on Saturday.
Follow Jack Butler on Twitter @Butler917