The Eugene Emeralds (12-24) took game two of the five game series 2-1 against the Vancouver Canadians (21-15) to tie the series up at one game a piece. Despite both teams combining for 16 hits, the game ended with a low scoring outcome. With the win, the Emeralds moved up out of last place in the Northwest League South.
Both starting pitchers threw productive games this evening as they helped their teams get off to a favorable start. For the Emeralds it was Erik Cabrera getting the start, while Eric Brown took the mound for the Canadians. In five innings, Cabrera recorded eight strikeouts and allowed no runs in comparison to six strikeouts and one earned run for Brown in six innings pitched. With the game being a close contest, minor mistakes held as the slight difference between the two teams as they now both look to take control of the series in the following game.
The first run of the game came in the top of the fifth as the Emeralds took the early lead. After a pair of hits from Felipe Blanco and Edwin Moreno, the Emeralds had two runners on with Anthony Torres up in the order. Capping off the inning was a Torres sacrifice fly to right field as Blanco came home to put the Emeralds on the board.
In the bottom of the eighth, the Canadians answered with their first run of the game. After Chaz Frank singled a line drive to left field to lead-off, L.B. Dantzler recorded a two RBI single to center field to tie the game up at one. This came following a pitching change for the Emeralds as Jeffrey Enloe replaced Josh Richardson to begin the inning.
The game winning run came in the ninth and final inning as the Emeralds edged out the Canadians with one last run. In response to another pitching change to begin the inning — Chuck Ghysels for Brandon Dorset — the Emeralds nearly ended the inning empty-handed after being handed two early outs. But after a Moreno steal to second, Hunter Renfroe stepped up to the plate and hit a one RBI single to right field to give the Emeralds an eventual game winning run. Renfroe now has four RBI’s and is batting .514 on the season.
On the horizon: The Emeralds will continue their five game road series against the Canadians after tying the series up at one game a piece. Game time is set for a 1:05 p.m. start tomorrow.