Vida’s Homer Leaves Emeralds Blue As Spokane Wins 4-3 For 2nd Straight

James Vida is on top of the Northwest League and probably on top of the world after the Spokane Indians’ game against the Eugene Emeralds on Saturday.

Vida hit a solo home run to right field with two out in the ninth to give Spokane a stirring 4-3 win over Eugene. Vida hit the first pitch from reliever Thad Chrismon (0-1).

Vida, who leads the NWL in hitting at .469, went 2 for 4 for the game. His homer capped a two-run ninth that erased an Emeralds comeback.

The win, coupled with a loss by Everett (3-7), helped Spokane (4-6) escape the NWL cellar for the first time this year. The Indians have won four of their last five.

Eugene (2-8) played before a season-high 5,830.

Spokane started Stephen Prihoda for the first time. The left-hander from Sam Houston (Texas) State didn’t disappoint, as he pitched five innings of no-hit ball and left with a 2-1 lead.

Vida led off the second with a walk and later scored on a passed ball by Mike Mahoney.

Vida’s error at first base in the third let Eugene tie the score. Mahoney led off with a walk, went to second on the error, advanced to third on a grounder and scored on Wilton Person’s sacrifice fly.

Spokane ended the night for Eugene starter Billy Blythe in the fifth. Tony Miranda singled, stole second and scored on Emiliano Escandon’s single.

Spokane reliever Jose Santiago allowed Eugene’s first hit in the sixth, a single to shallow left by Steve Hacker. Santiago also allowed a pair of Emeralds runs in the seventh, one on Roosevelt Brown’s pinch-hit double and another on a wild pitch.

Spokane rallied in the ninth as Miranda led off with a hit to right-center that Reymundo DeLeon misplayed for an error. Miranda moved to third on a grounder and scored on Adam Finnieston’s sacrifice fly, bringing up Vida.

Isreal Charles (1-0) earned the win and Jonathan Albrecht pitched a perfect ninth for his second save.