Spokane Indians Pregame: Hans Crouse takes the hill in third game of Eugene series
The Spokane Indians (9-18) face the Eugene Emeralds (10-17) in the third of a five-game Northwest League series at Avista Stadium at 6:30 p.m.
The Indians are five games behind Vancouver in the North Division with 11 games to play in the first half.
Indians righty Hans Crouse (1-1, 3.38) faces RHP Riley Thompson (0-0, 0.00) tonight.
Crouse, the Texas Rangers’ second-round pick in the 2017 MLB Draft, is the organization’s No.4 prospect according to MLB.com. His last start was abbreviated to one inning against Vancouver on Monday due to rain.
Overall, Crouse has struck out 15 over 13.1 innings and pitching to a 1.13 WHIP.
Thompson, the Chicago Cubs 11th round pick in the 2018 MLB Draft, is making his professional debut and will probably be limited to two innings or 30 pitches.
Lineup: 1) CF J.P. Martinez; 2) SS Jax Biggers; 3) 3B Diosbel Arias; 4) RF Tanner Gardner; 5) DH Austin O’Banion; 6) LF Troy Dixon; 7) 3B Tyler Depreta-Johnson; 8) C Isaias Quiroz; 9) 1B Hasuan Viera.
Last night: Tyler Durna went 4 for 6 and hit a two-run home run as part of a five-run 11th inning and the visiting Emeralds (10-17) beat the Indians (9-18) 9-4.
The Indians loaded the bases with no outs in the 10th but three straight popups crushed the rally.
Diosbel Arias and Starling Joseph both hit two-run homers for Spokane.
Starter Tai Tiedemann was roughed up for three runs on four hits and four walks over 3.2 innings.
The Indians went 1 for 10 with runners in scoring position.
Player to watch: Outfielder J.P. Martinez, the organization’s No.3 prospect, has started to heat up. He is hitting .297 (11 for 37) over his last 10 games with two homers and two stolen bases in the frame.
He has hits in four straight games and leads the team with five steals, is third in runs (13) and fourth in on-base percentage at .333.
Transactions: None.
Promotion: The Indians transform Avista Stadium into a galaxy far, far away for Star Wars Night. The night will include Star Wars trivia, character appearances, and a special Star Wars jersey auction benefiting the Rypien Foundation! Stick around after the game for a great fireworks show.
Weather: Game time – Sunny, 97. Final out – Clear, 80.
Minor League Report: