Indians Fall Short In Eugene, Again

The Spokane Indians have shown their ability to rally during the first four games of their five-game series with the Eugene Emeralds.

But the Emeralds have shown their ability to win despite Spokane’s rallies.

Eugene (13-12) jumped to a 5-0 lead in the second inning Saturday night, then held off the Indians 6-5 at Civic Stadium to clinch the series win.

The Emeralds have won three of four by keeping the Indians at arm’s length. Eugene won Wednesday’s opener 7-6 after Spokane roared back from a 4-2 deficit to take the lead. The Emeralds won Friday’s game 10-8 after Spokane rallied from 4-0 and 6-2 deficits to lead.

The loss dropped Spokane (14-11) into a first-place tie in the Northwest League’s North Division with Everett, a 5-4 winner over Salem-Keizer.

Eugene leads the season series 5-4 heading into this afternoon’s final regular season game between the clubs.

The Emeralds jumped on Spokane starter Ian Ferguson (1-3) for six hits and five runs, three earned, in 1-2/3 innings. Micah Mangrum replaced Ferguson in the second after the right-hander allowed Nic Jackson’s two-run standup double to right-center field and Adam Morrissey’s RBI single, both with two out.

Darren Fenster walked and scored on Ray Hattenburg’s one-out single in the third. Fenster’s two-out bases-loaded walk in the sixth on a 3-2 pitch cut Eugene’s lead to 5-2.

Eugene catcher Yoon-Min Kweon hit a solo home run in the sixth for a 6-2 edge. It was Kweon’s second homer, the other against Spokane on June 21.

The Indians sent eight runners to the plate in the eighth to score three runs. Jermaine Smiley had a no-out, RBI double to left, and Hersy Felix and Fenster followed with RBI groundouts.

Indians reliever Ryan Bukvich stranded Michael Mallory at third base in the Emeralds eighth.

Scott Fries earned his first save by no-hitting Spokane in the ninth. Ben Cordova was left at first base after a two-out walk on a 3-2 pitch.

The Indians left 11 runners on base.

Todd Wellemeyer (1-1), who lost to Spokane on June 23, earned the win.

Spokane catcher Scott Walter, a third-round selection from Loyola Marymount, played his first game in two weeks since injuring his finger.

Spokane is 6-6 on the road after starting the year 4-0.

The Indians entered the game 8-3 in one-run contests.