Hunter Goodman homer ignites Spokane Indians to victory over Eugene

From staff reports

The Spokane Indians needed one good swing to take an early lead Friday night.

Make that one Goodman swing.

Spokane’s Hunter Goodman hit a two-run homer in the second inning to break a scoreless tie, and the Indians held off the Eugene Emeralds for an 8-4 win in a Northwest League game at Avista Stadium.

The fourth-place Indians (16-17 second half) knocked Eugene (21-13) from the top spot in the league. Vancouver (21-12) holds a half-game lead over the Emeralds and five games over the Indians.

The Indians’ Julio Carreras was hit by a pitch to lead off the second inning and reached second on a wild pitch before Goodman homered to center field on a 3-2 count.

The Emeralds scored a run in the sixth, but Spokane responded with three runs in the bottom half of the inning to build a 5-1 margin.

With one out, Eddy Diaz and Zac Veen hit consecutive singles and advanced to third and second, respectively, on a fielding error. Carreras hit a two-run single and later scored when Robby Martin Jr. produced a bases-loaded walk for a four-run lead.

The game marked Diaz’ return from an injured leg. It was his first game since July 23. 

Eugene scored twice in the seventh, but Bladimir Restituyo scored on a fielder’s choice grounder by Veen in the inning’s bottom half for a 6-3 cushion.

Luis Matos hit a solo shot in the eighth to pull the Emeralds within 6-4, but Mateo Gil clubbed a two-run homer in the bottom of the inning to account for the final margin.

Indians starter Andrew Quezada improved his record to 8-0. The 25-year-old leads the NWL in wins and is tied for sixth in ERA (3.86) among qualified pitchers. He allowed seven hits and a walk with four strikeouts over six innings.