Spokane Indians drop third straight to Eugene Emeralds

EUGENE – The Indians hit their first home run of the season but also gave up their first, and that two-run shot by Kevonte Mitchell sent the Eugene Emeralds on their way to their third straight victory, 4-1, over Spokane on Sunday.

Eugene (7-3), the Northwest League South Division leader, used a pair of infield hits created by poor defense to take a 1-0 lead in the first before catcher Alex Kowalczyk slugged a home run for Spokane (4-6) in the second.

Mitchell gave Eugene a 3-1 lead with his blast in the third. The Emeralds added a final run in the seventh on a walk and two singles.

Indians starter Luke Lanphere (1-1) pitched six innings, giving up three runs on four hits and no walks while striking out five. He retired the final 10 batters he faced. Tyler Ferguson threw the final two innings, giving up a run on two hits and a walk while fanning five.

Kowalczyk and Charles Leblanc had two hits each for Spokane but the Indians left 10 batters on base, including nine in scoring position.

The teams conclude their five-game series Monday night before the Indians return home for a three-game set against the Everett AquaSox, the North Division leaders, beginning Tuesday.