Eugene Rallies in 9th to Take 2-0 Series Lead
SPOKANE, Wash. – At its best, September baseball has fans hanging on every pitch. That was the case at Avista Stadium on Wednesday night. Entering the ninth inning in a scoreless game, Eugene got three runs with two outs after a controversial walk and those runs were enough to defeat
SPOKANE, Wash. – At its best, September baseball has fans hanging on every pitch. That was the case at Avista Stadium on Wednesday night. Entering the ninth inning in a scoreless game, Eugene got three runs with two outs after a controversial walk and those runs were enough to defeat Spokane, 3-0, to take a 2-0 series lead in the High-A West Championship Series presented by R’nR RV Center, SWX-TV, 93.7 The Mountain, and 103.5 The Game.
TOP PERFORMERS
Hits were hard to come by all night, but not for Ismael Munguia. The Emeralds’ leadoff man went 4-for-5 including the two-run double in the ninth inning that broke the game open.
You couldn’t have asked for more from Spokane starter Chris McMahon. The former Miami Hurricane threw 6.1 shutout innings, allowing just four hits while striking out seven Emeralds.
Eugene’s starter Connor Nurse was equally impressive on the mound. The righty threw seven scoreless innings and struck out eight batters. 67 of Nurse’s 90 pitches were for strikes.
BY THE NUMBERS
Dating back to July 25th, Ismael Munguia has a hit in 24 of his last 25 games. He has nine hits in the first two games of this series.
The three runs given up by Dugan Darnell in the ninth were his first of September. He had thrown eight scoreless innings, allowing just two hits.
This is just the second time all season Spokane has been shut out at home. The other time was June 3rd, in a 6-0 loss to Tri-City.
KEY MOMENT
With a runner on first in the ninth and the game tied 0-0, Marco Luciano was up at the plate with a 1-2 count. Spokane closer Dugan Darnell threw two borderline pitches on the corner of the plate that the home plate umpire determined were balls, despite much disagreement from the Spokane Indians fans and dugout. Luciano ended up walking, and with two outs, Franklin Labour drove a single into left field to give Eugene a 1-0 lead. Munguia smacked a two-run double four pitches later and the Ems held on to win, 3-0.
NEXT GAME IN THE HIGH-A WEST CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
Game Three of the High-A West Championship Series presented by R’nR RV Center, SWX-TV, 93.7 The Mountain, and 103.5 The Game continues on Thursday. Mitch Kilkenny will take the hill for Spokane looking to lead the Indians to their first win of the series. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. The Avista Stadium gates will open at 5:30 p.m. CLICK HERE to get your tickets.