Indians fall after forging tie in 8th

EUGENE, Ore. – The Spokane Indians couldn’t protect a 6-1 lead or maintain their momentum from an eighth-inning rally.

The Eugene Emeralds scored twice in the bottom of the eighth Friday night to defeat the Indians 10-8 in Northwest League baseball play at Civic Stadium.

The Emeralds have won three of four games in the season-opening, five-game set.

But the Indians had the early punch, patching together a 6-1 advantage with German Duran’s one-out solo homer in the first, Steve Murphy’s one-out, three-run blast in the third, and Terry Blunt’s two-run double in the fourth.

The Emeralds roared back behind Billy Killian, who had an RBI single during a two-run fourth and a three-run triple to right-center in the fifth to secure a 7-6 lead.

Spokane trailed 8-6 when it tied the game in the eighth on an error and fielder’s choice.

Eugene reached Justin Abbott (0-1) for two runs in its eighth, scoring the winner when third baseman Joe Kemp’s throw home on Mike Sansoe’s grounder hit Daryl Jones in the back.

The teams wrap up the five-game set tonight with Spokane right-hander Doug Mathis, Tuesday’s season-opening starter, facing Jon Link.

Spokane’s home opener will be at 6:30 p.m. Sunday at Avista Stadium against Everett.