Eugene, OR - A strong outing was undone by a big 3-run homer and the Emeralds could muster just four hits as they dropped game two against the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes 6-1 in front of 3,024 at PK Park.
Eugene, OR - A strong outing was undone by a big 3-run homer and the Emeralds could muster just four hits as they dropped game two against the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes 6-1 in front of 3,024 at PK Park.
A late rally for the Ems (1-2, 22-19) did not come to pass in the ninth as they scored just one run with the bases loaded. With two outs, Jose Gonzalez appeared to strikeout and end the game but the ball got away from catcher Chris Corbett letting Gonzalez get to first.
A hit batter and a walk loaded the bases before a wild pitch by reliever Logan Webb gave the Ems their first run of the game to make it 6-1.
It was a much better result than in the second inning when the Ems loaded the bases after Austin Filiere singled and back-to-back walks to Michael Cruz and Jose Gonzalez. After a strike out, Zach Davis lined out to left and filiere broke for home but was thrown out to end the inning.
Enrique De Los Rios (2-1, 4.41 ERA) took the loss after giving up six runs over five innings of work, one walk and three strikeouts, though he looked good through the first three innings giving up just two baserunners. Though Salem-Keizer (2-1, 18-23) took advantage in the fourth.
With two outs and a runner on first, the Volcanoes pushed across the first run of the game on an Orlando Garcia double. Garcia would score on a Manuel Geraldo single and make it a 2-0 game.
The Volcanoes added to that lead in the fifth when Malique Ziegler singled and scored Corbett. Another single brought up Ryan Kirby, who did not miss a 1-1 pitch and homered to right field, giving the Volcanoes a 6-0 lead.
The bullpen once again did its job for the Ems, keeping them in the game and allowing just two hits over the next four innings. Keegan Thompson made his pro debut, and the third rounder did not disappoint throwing two innings and allowing just one hit, two walks, and getting two strikeouts.
Casey Ryan and Jake Steffens closed the game out over the next two innings, with Ryan giving up just one hit and a walk while Steffens sandwiched a walk around three strikeouts.
The rubber match between the two teams will feature Matt Swarmer (2-0, 2.37 ERA) for the Ems against Alejandro De La Rosa (2-2, 5.28 ERA) for the Volcanoes on Thursday at PK Park at 7:05pm. Get your tickets online at emeraldsbaseball.com or calling the box office at 541-342-5367.
