Chad Smith’s big doubles boost Indians over Eugene Emeralds 3-2

Chad Smith’s two run-scoring doubles led the Spokane Indians to a 3-2 victory over the Eugene Emeralds on Sunday afternoon at Avista Stadium.

Cole Ragans, Indians starting pitcher and No. 8 Rangers prospect, surrendered five hits (one of which was a home run), two runs, no walks, and recorded seven strikeouts over five strong innings.

Indians relievers Noah Bremer and Alex Eubanks combined for four shutout innings and allowed one hit, with no walks and six strikeouts.

Smith launched his first double with two-outs in the third inning which scored Miguel Aparicio from first base and established an early one-run lead.

The Emeralds (27-22) responded in the fifth inning with Chris Carrier’s first home run of the season. His two-run blast off Ragans gave the Emeralds a 2-1 lead.

Spokane (24-25) regained the lead in the bottom of the inning with an RBI single by Aparicio to tie the game and a bloop go-ahead double by Smith for a 3-2 lead.

Eugene put the potential tying-run on second base with two outs in the ninth inning. Miguel Amaya then sliced a ground ball to the six-hole as the ball trickled into left-field away from shortstop Christian Inoa, but Inoa recovered the ball and threw home in time to eliminate the tying run and conclude the game.