Dust Devils One, Emeralds Nil
August 2, 2023 - Northwest League (NWL)
Tri-City Dust Devils News Release
Tri-City Dust Devils' Bryce Osmond on the mound
(Tri-City Dust Devils)
Strong pitching and a big double play late by the Tri-City Dust Devils (14-17 2H, 48-49) helped them make an early, unearned run hold up in a 1-0 shutout win over the Eugene Emeralds (15-16 2H, 49-48) Tuesday night at Gesa Stadium.
Tri-City starter Bryce Osmond (3-7) set a professional career-high with 11 strikeouts in five innings, giving up only two hits and walking only one batter. The Jenks, Oklahoma native struck out the side in both the 2nd and 3rd innings and worked around two hits to strike out three more Eugene batters in the 4th.
The lone run of the game came for the Dust Devils in the bottom of the 3rd inning. DH Caleb Ketchup singled to left to lead off the inning, with Emeralds starter Trevor McDonald (1-1) keeping a close eye on the speedy new addition. The righty struck out CF-2B D'Shawn Knowles, bringing 2B Adrian Placencia to the plate. Eugene C Zach Morgan caught a pitch and threw behind Ketchup to try to pick him off at first, but his throw sailed and rolled down the right field line, Ketchup hustling to third on a two-base throwing error.
After a strikeout of Placencia, who was ejected moments later by home plate umpire Nelson Fraley for arguing a controversial strike three call, LF-CF Joe Stewart stepped up. He hit a chopper to the right side that took a second high hop on Emeralds 2B Brett Auerbach, who fielded and threw to first. Stewart beat the throw for an RBI single that scored Ketchup for the unearned run that decided the game.
The largest threat to Tri-City's series-opening win came in the top of the 7th when Eugene loaded the bases with one out and Dust Devils reliever Willian Suarez on the mound. The righty induced Morgan to hit a grounder to third, where 3B Werner Blakely fielded it and threw home to C Gustavo Campero for the force out at the plate. Campero then turned and sent a throw low to first, where 1B Matt Coutney picked it from the dirt to complete a 5-2-3 double play that ended the inning.
The Emeralds would mount another charge in the 8th, putting runners on the corners with two out. Tri-City manager Jack Howell called upon closer Roman Phansalkar to shut the door. He did, striking out Eugene cleanup man 1B Sean Roby to finish the 8th and getting the final three outs in the 9th for his fourth save.
The game's score marked the fifth shutout in a row in the homestand, with the Dust Devils and Hillsboro Hops trading shutouts in each of the final four games of their six-game set. The night also marked the return of Tri-City lefty Nick Mondak, who struck out two and pitched a 1-2-3 6th inning in his first outing since June 17.
The Dust Devils will look to stretch a pair of victories into a winning streak in game two of their six-game series with the Emeralds at 7:05 p.m. at Gesa Stadium. The team will celebrate Dusty's Birthday at the ballpark, where a slice of birthday cake will be given to any kid who wants one.
Tri-City has scheduled left-hander Sammy Natera, Jr. (1-6, 4.50 ERA) to start, with Eugene countering with right-hander Eric Silva (1-5, 5.31 ERA). Broadcast coverage begins with the pregame show at 6:45 p.m., both here and at the MiLB First Pitch app.
Tickets for both Wednesday night's game and the full series are on sale now. Also, special ticket rates are available for groups of 20 or more. For more information on Dust Devils single game, season, mini-plan (11, 22, 33) and group tickets, visit dustdevilsbaseball.com, call the team office at (509) 544-8789, or visit the team office (10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on game nights, or Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. otherwise).
Images from this story
 Tri-City Dust Devils' Bryce Osmond on the mound |
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