Eugene takes 1-0 series lead
The Eugene Emeralds didn't have to resort to smoke and mirrors to beat the Hillsboro Hops Wednesday night. But a montage of highlights from the game might be appropriately soundtracked by The Platters' "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes".Eugene took its first lead of the game in the eighth inning on
The Eugene Emeralds didn't have to resort to smoke and mirrors to beat the Hillsboro Hops Wednesday night. But a montage of highlights from the game might be appropriately soundtracked by The Platters' "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes".
Eugene took its first lead of the game in the eighth inning on a two-out RBI single to center field by
The Emeralds cashed in on three of Hillsboro's four walks and a couple of defensive miscues to take the early advantage in the best two-out-of-three playoff series. Cruz had reached base on a one-out base on balls by reliever
A series of questionable calls also went the way of the home team, leading to the ejection of Hillsboro manager Shawn Roof in the top of the ninth inning after designated hitter
Drew Eillis homered off Eugene starting pitcher
Hillsboro regained thte lead in the sixth, but it could have been more. After
Down 2-1 in the bottom of the seventh, Bethencourt again coaxed a leadoff walk from McCanna, who had the lowest ERA among NWL relievers during the regular season (0.27). Once again, McCanna retired the next two batters and appeared to be out of the inning when Chris Singleton grounded to second. Grotjohn went to Duzenack at second for the force, but Bethencourt was ruled safe, when video replay appeared to show otherwise. Eugene capitalized on the extra out when red-hot Zach Davis, 12-for-25 over the past five games, laced a single to right to socre Bethencourt with the tying run.
Eugene relievers
All three Eugene runs came on two-out hits. All three runs had reached base on walks.
Still, Hillsboro had a chance in the ninth when Lara appeared to beat the throw to first on a ground ball that deflected off pitcher Jake Steffens to second base. Three was the magic number for Roof, who flew out of the dugout and tore into the first base umpire, leading to a swift ejection. In a sadly ironic twist, it was the first game of teh season for both teams playing with a four-man umpiring crew. The NWL utilizes two-person crews during the regular season but expands to four-man crews in the postseason.
Peacock was charged with the loss, while Steffens earned the victory. Steffens and Diaz combined on 3 1/3 innings of one-hit, scoreless relief with four strikeouts and no walks. McCanna matched his season total of two runs and one earned run allowed over a three inning relief stint.
Game two of the series is at Ron Tonkin Field in Hillsboro. Originally scheduled for Wednesday night, the series was pushed back a day after scheduled Tuesday opener at Eugene was postponed due to poor air quality from Oregon wildfires. All tickets purchased for Wednesday's game will be honored Thursday night at the ballpark. The game will be broadcast live on Rip City Radio 620 AM with pregame coverage beginning at 6:35 p.m., first pitch at 7:05. Should the Hops win, game three will be Friday night at Tonkin Field, same time.
Vancouver defeated Spokane 2-1 in the North Division playoff opener. The NWL Championship Series begins Saturday. If the Hops advance, games one and two will be at Tonkin Field Saturday and Sunday, both games at 7:05 p.m. If Spokane advances from the North, all games will be played in Hillsboro due to the lack of availability of Spokane's Avista Stadium.