NWL Eugene Emeralds

Emeralds Even Up The Series Against Hillsboro

Published on August 24, 2023 under Northwest League (NWL)
Eugene Emeralds News Release


The Eugene Emeralds evened up the series after a 3-2 victory over the Hillsboro Hops. The Emeralds record now moves to 59-57 on the season and 25-25 in the 2nd half.

It was a scoreless first two frames for both ballclubs and the Emeralds were able to get the scoring started in the top of the 3rd inning. Grant McCray drew a two-out walk and was able to swipe second. Carter Howell ripped a shot up the middle and McCray came home to score to give the Emeralds the 1-0 lead through the first 3 innings. The Emeralds added two more runs in the top of the 5th inning. Onil Perez started off the inning with a walk. The next two batters were retired but a passed ball allowed Onil Perez to reach second base.

With two outs Damon Dues ripped a shot to the outfield and Perez came home to score on the play. Yilber Diaz cutoff the throw and Dues was trying to advance into 2nd base on the play. He was able to reach 2nd just before the tag was applied. Grant McCray then drew a walk and Damon Dues was able to come home and score on the play. McCray then took off to steal 2nd base and a throw down from catcher Christian Cerda got past the 2nd baseman Manuel Pena so Dues got to trot home and score on the play to make the game 3-0 in favor of the Emeralds.

In the bottom of the 5th inning the Hops scored their lone pair of runs in the game. Kevin Graham started off the inning with a triple. Gavin Logan followed it up by ripping a shot up the middle for the RBI. The next batter Manuel Pena then doubled to put runners at 2nd and 3rd with nobody out. The Emeralds then turned to the bullpen arm of William Kempner to try and get out of the tough spot. He got Wilderd Patino to rollover on a ground ball and neither runner was able to advance. The next batter, Jack Hurley, hit a ground ball to Aeverson Arteaga who elected to throw the ball to third base to get Manuel Pena in a run-down. Logan came home to score on the play and the Emeralds were able to get Pena out. The next two batters were retired and the Emeralds got out of the inning with the 1-run lead.

The 1 run lead would prove to be enough as the next four innings were scoreless for both teams. Brett Standlee got the start in the ballgame tonight and he pitched very well for it being only his 2nd start this season. He pitched 4.1 innings and gave up 6 hits and 2 earned runs while walking just 1 batter and striking out two. William Kempner came in for relief of Standlee and pitched 2 innings and didn't allow a single hit or run. He walked two batters and struck out 4. Kempner earned the victory tonight for his 2nd win of the season. Tanner Kiest came in with 1-out in the bottom of the 7th and went the distance for the rare 8 out save. Kiest allowed just 2 hits and struck out 6 batters while not issuing a single free pass. The Emeralds bullpen combined to strike out 10 batters over the final 4.2 innings.

The Emeralds came into this ballgame trailing the AquaSox by 3 games for a potential playoff berth, and after the AquaSox won their ballgame tonight the Emeralds still remain 3 games out. There are just 16 games remaining this season, so each and every game becomes more and more important for the two ball clubs.

Eugene will be back in action tomorrow night as they look to take the series lead against Hillsboro. Trevor McDonald is on the mound for the Emeralds and he has been dominant since returning from injury just a few weeks ago. First pitch is set for 7:05 P.M.

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Northwest League Stories from August 24, 2023


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