Eugene nips Spokane in NWL play

EUGENE, Ore. – The Eugene Emeralds found a way to manufacture enough runs to edge the Spokane Indians 2-1 on Friday in Northwest League play at PK Park. The Indians helped out, committing three costly errors that kept alive Eugene’s scoring chances. The Emeralds opened scoring in the first inning against Spokane starter Andrew Doyle. Leadoff hitter Rico Noel reached third base with an infield single, a stolen base and a throwing error by Indians shortstop Jurickson Profar. Noel scored on Tyler Stubblefield’s sacrifice fly to left field. Doyle allowed just one hit in the next three innings and gave way to Tim Stanford. Stanford gave up one hit in two innings to lower his earned-run average to 0.90, but the Indians still trailed 1-0 after six innings. The Indians tied the game in the seventh off Matthew Branham (2-3). Jake Skole led off with a single to center, took second on a groundout, and moved to third on a wild pitch. He scored on Andrew Clark’s lined single to right. Indians reliever Colby Killian (1-1) caused his own trouble in the seventh with a pair of throwing errors after Rymer Liriano’s leadoff infield single. Eugene scored the winning run on a double play. Eugene leads the five-game series 2-1 with games remaining tonight and Sunday afternoon. The series has been short on offense, with the teams combining for 15 runs. Spokane returns home Monday to open a season-long eight-game homestand, starting with five games against the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes. The East Division first-half champion Indians are just 7-12 on the road this season. Spokane has a 13-10 record against West Division teams and 10-8 against the East.