Indians Shackled By Roberts

The Mike Roberts of Thursday night had no resemblance to the Mike Roberts of five days previous.

Coming off the shortest outing by a Eugene starting pitcher this year, Roberts (6-5) handcuffed Spokane for seven innings as the Emeralds won 6-2 to open a five-game Northwest League set at Seafirst Stadium.

Roberts scattered four hits - one through six innings - and struck out four while walking one.

“Before the game, I told (catcher) John Arnold that I couldn’t walk anybody because I’m not a strikeout pitcher,” Roberts said. “I told him, ‘If I do walk anyone, come out and kick me in the butt.”’

There was no kicking, except for Indians hitters kicking the dirt after several hard-hit balls went right to the defense or were smoothly scooped up.

“As I was saying, everytime I went back to the dugout, I had Lady Luck behind me tonight,” Roberts said.

Spokane (36-27) fell 4-1/2 games behind first-place Boise in the North Division. Boise’s game at Everett Thursday night was delayed 1-1/2 hours, reportedly by rain.

Eugene (26-37) has split six games with Spokane. Roberts defeated Spokane on July 26 at Eugene.

Roberts’ last outing, against Southern Oregon, fell apart in the second inning because of wildness.

The outing before, Roberts started working on a split-finger fastball. The pitch, which resembles a changeup, kept the Indians off-balance.

Roberts was drafted in the 21st round last June by the Atlanta Braves. The Massachusetts native pitched last spring at Division I Siena in Albany, N.Y., after helping Florida Southern to the Division II World Series as a sophomore.

Atlanta closer Mark Wohlers grew up near Roberts’ hometown of Wilbraham, so the fit is nearly perfect - nearly, because Roberts would have loved a call from his cherished Boston Red Sox.

Spokane’s infield commited big errors to lead to the Emeralds’ two-run second and sixth innings.

Shortstop Merrell Ligons’ fielding error on Brett Pierce’s one-out grounder in the second brought home Greg Strickland. Pierce scored on a fielder’s choice.

Third baseman Dave Willis made two errors in the sixth. Pierce reached on the first error and scored on the second. Pooh Hines added an RBI single.

Juan LeBron hit his NWL-leading 26th double in the seventh and scored on Willis’ single. LeBron also singled and scored in the ninth inning off Rodney Allen.

Indians starter Dan Reichert (2-4) allowed three hits and one earned run in three innings. He walked four and threw 60 pitches. Tonight’s pitching matchup is Spokane’s Corey Thurman (1- 0, 4.09 ERA) against Ryan Greene (2-5, 5.04). Game time is 7:05.

Notes

Indians center fielder Goefrey Tomlinson rested a sore hamstring but is expected back today. Tomlinson, in the midst of a 12-game hitting streak, has risen to No. 6 in league batting at .328. He has also stolen 19 bases in 20 attempts this year… . Tomlinson’s replacement Thursday, Rod Metzler, went 0 for 4 and is in a slump of 0 for 20 and 1 for 28… . The Indians’ third and final 50-cent feast is tonight. All hot dogs, pop and ice cream sandwiches will cost a half-buck… . Eugene entered the night trailing all NWL teams in team pitching (5.52 ERA) and hitting (.257).

, DataTimes