Gold sparkles in Emeralds’ rally

EUGENE, Ore. – The Eugene Emeralds received a golden relief effort Thursday night while rallying past the Spokane Indians.

Adam Gold (1-0) pitched one-hit ball for three innings as the Emeralds recorded a 3-2 Northwest League win at Civic Stadium after spotting the Indians a 2-0 first-inning lead.

Eugene leads the season-opening, five-game series 2-1. The series continues tonight and Saturday night. Spokane’s home opener is Sunday night against the Everett AquaSox.

Gold, in relief of starter Brent Carter, struck out three, walked one and allowed only Terry Blunt’s one-out double in the seventh. Gold struck out the next two batters to foil Spokane’s last good scoring opportunity.

Alfredo Fernandez worked a 1-2-3 ninth for his second save.

Spokane scored twice after Carter struck out the game’s first two batters.

Steve Murphy singled, took second on a wild pitch, stole third base and scored on first baseman Daryl Jones’ error. John Mayberry Jr., who had walked before the error, scored on Brian Valichka’s single.

Indians starter Brett Zamzow worked four shutout innings, allowing four hits and striking out three.

Submariner Tom Van Buskirk, who relieved in the fifth, ran into trouble after Billy Richardson singled and stole second base, and Jones walked.

Kelvin Vazquez sacrificed the runners to second and third. Mike Sansoe broke the shutout with an RBI bloop single, and Jodam Rivera tied the game with a grounder on which the Indians failed to turn a double play.

Jon Wilson (0-1) allowed the winning run in the seventh, after recording an out. Vazquez had his first hit of the year, a double, and scored on Sansoe’s third hit of the game.

Spokane right-hander Juan Garcia is scheduled to start tonight against Arnold Hughey.