Indians Miss Opportunity in Extras, Fall to Emeralds 9-4
July 13, 2018 - Northwest League (NWL1)
Spokane Indians News Release
Spokane Indians outfielder Starling Joseph receives congratulations while rounding third
(Spokane Indians)
SPOKANE, Wash. - The Spokane Indians couldn't capitalize in the bottom of the 10th and wound up losing 9-4 in 11 innings to the Eugene Emeralds in front of 4,261 fans on Dollars in Your Dog Night and Pre-Game LEO's Youth Baseball Clinic presented by Mirabeau Park Hotel and KISS 98.1.
Minor League Baseball's new extra innings rule took effect in the 10th inning for the first time at Avista Stadium. Each team starts their half inning with a runner on second base and nobody out. Tied 4-4 in the top half of the 10th, Gustavo Polanco smoked a line drive to center field for what looked like a go-ahead hit. Julio Pablo Martinez made a spectacular diving catch and the Eugene runner was doubled off second base for a double play.
Spokane led off the bottom half of the 10th with a hit by pitch and a perfect bunt from Hasuan Viera that the Emeralds could not corral. The bases were loaded with nobody out and Spokane needing just a run. Emeralds' reliever Jake Steffens got the next three Indians' hitters to pop up, escaping the jam still tied at four and sending the game to the 11th.
Eugene took advantage of their second life. The Emeralds struck for five runs in the 11th, capped off by a two-run homer from Tyler Durna, his first of the season. Spokane went down quietly in the bottom half of the inning.
The game leading up to extra innings was back-and-forth. After Eugene struck for a run in the top of the first, Spokane responded with a two-run homer from Disobel Arias, his second of the season. The homer drove in Jax Biggers, who got a hit in his first at-bat as a Spokane Indian.
Eugene regained the lead in the fourth with a couple two-out runs. Royce Bolinger came on in relief with two runners aboard and allowed both to score. Those runs were credited to Tai Tiedemann, who gave up three runs in 3.2 innings while walking four and striking out three.
Spokane responded again in the bottom of the fourth. Starling Joseph continued his power surge and sent a two-run shot just over the Jack in the Box sign in right center field to give Spokane a 4-3 lead. Joseph has hit all three of his homers this season at Avista Stadium and has racked up a .500 SLG% at home.
The Emeralds scored a run in the fifth to tie the game at four, which is where it stayed until extra innings. David Lebron turned in another solid performance out of the bullpen, tossing two scoreless innings. He has yet to give up a run at home in 7.2 innings. Sergio Suarez (L, 0-1) pitched three scoreless innings before he ran into trouble in the 11th and took his first loss of the season.
The Indians and Emeralds continue their five-game series Friday night for Star Wars & Fireworks Night presented by Bulldog Rooter, KHQ, 93.7 The Mountain, and 1510 KGA NW Sports Talk. Join the Spokane Indians as we transform Avista Stadium into a galaxy far, far away. 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. The game starts at 6:30 PM with gates opening at 5:30 PM. Tickets for all Spokane Indians home games are available to purchase at the Avista Stadium Ticket Office or at spokaneindians.com. Reserve your seats today by calling (509) 343-OTTO (6886) or TicketsWest at 1-800-325-SEAT.
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 Spokane Indians outfielder Starling Joseph receives congratulations while rounding third |
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