Bats Fall Flat In Boise As Ems Now Head To Hillsboro

Three games into a season-long nine-game roadtrip, the Eugene Emeralds (7-7) leave the Treasure Valley with no wins under their belt thus far, falling 3-1 in the series finale against the Boise Hawks who completed the series sweep in front of 3,545 at Memorial Stadium.

The bats fell silent in the early goings, but the Emeralds were buoyed by a strong start from Kohl Franklin, who dazzled his way through 5.0 innings, striking out four while allowing just one run. The 19-year old right-hander has been stellar all season, to the tune of a 1.42 ERA across 12.2 innings in his first two starts.
The run Franklin surrendered came in the very first inning. Isaac Collins poked a single to left, leading off the inning. Ezequiel Tovar then bounced a grounder down the first base line, glancing it in-and-out of the glove of first baseman Jake Slaughter. Both runners ended up safe with Michael Toglia at the plate. Toglia then promptly deposited a ball to the outfield to score Collins, giving the Hawks a 1-0 lead from the get-go. 
Franklin was able to power through the rest of the hitters in the inning, escaping with just one run surrendered.
Jake Slaughter tied up the game in the fourth inning, blasting a shot to left field that almost hit the videoboard, his second home run of the season. The home run was the only run the Ems could muster against Boise starter Jeffri Ocando across his 5.0 innings of work. 
After Ocando exited, the Boise bullpen slammed the door shut the rest of the way. Cameron Enck, Rayne Supple, Trent Fennell and Jacob Wallace each pitched a scoreless and hitless inning while combining for six strikeouts in innings 6-9, with the Emeralds never able to get a runner in scoring position.
The 1-1 tie would be broken in the bottom of the sixth inning, as Alfredo Colorado entered the game in relief of Kohl Franklin. With a runner at third and two outs, Aaron Schunk blasted a deep shot to left over the wall, his second home run of the season, to put the Hawks ahead, 3-1. 
Fauris Guerrero pitched 2.0 scoreless innings of relief following Alfredo Colorado, but ultimately the Emeralds' offense could not put together a late rally.
Now, the Emeralds head to Hillsboro to continue their nine-game roadtrip. The Ems and Hops will play a three-game series beginning on Friday, with first pitched scheduled for 7:05pm PST at Ron Tonkin Field. Yunior Perez is the scheduled Emeralds starter for tomorrow's game. Be sure to tune in on 95.3 The Score or on the TuneIn Radio app.