Streaking Indians top Emeralds

EUGENE, Ore. – Eugene is known as the Emeralds, but Michael Kirkman was the true gem on Tuesday night in Northwest League baseball action.

Kirkman (1-1) allowed just two hits and a walk in five shutout innings and the Spokane Indians rolled to their fifth straight victory with a 6-2 win over Eugene (3-5).

The victory keeps the Indians (6-2) in a first-place tie with the Tri-City Dust Devils atop the East Division.

Spokane gave Kirkman the only run he would need in the first inning. Jason Ogata drew a one-out walk, stole second base and scored on a bloop single over second base by Dennis Guinn.

The Indians took control of the game with a three-run fourth inning. Guinn led off with a single. Justin Pickett reached base on an error by shortstop Jeudy Valdez. Eric Fry singled to drive in Guinn and both runners took an extra base on the throw home. Timothy Rodriguez singled to center field to plate Pickett and send Eugene starter Robert Garramone to the showers. Reliever Rob Musgrave induced Doug Hogan into a double-play grounder, but Fry scored on the play.

The Indians tacked on a run in the top of the sixth inning on a two-out solo home run to right field by Fry to stretch the lead to 5-0. It was Fry’s second home run of the season.

The Emeralds took advantage of Kirkman’s exit after five innings to score a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth inning off Indians reliever Tim Murphy. Sawyer Carroll drew a one-out walk and Angel Mercado followed with a home run to left field.

Murphy was pulled after walking two straight batters with two outs. Dustin Brader entered and ended the threat by getting Derek Shunk to ground into a force out at second.

The Indians scored their final run in the top of the seventh inning. Jacob Kaase singled with two outs – his fourth hit of the day – and Ogata followed with a triple.

Spokane has won the first three games of the five-game series and will try for the fourth against the Emeralds tonight.