Ems Can’t Capitalize On Teng’s Stellar Start
The Eugene Emeralds (66-50) couldn’t take advantage of another stellar outing from Kai-Wei Teng on Thursday night, falling to the Tri-City Dust Devils (43-65) by a final of 3-1 at Gesa Stadium. THE DETAILS: - Winning Pitcher: Dakota Donovan (1-0, 3.07 ERA): 2.0 IP | 2 H | 0 R
The Eugene Emeralds (66-50) couldn’t take advantage of another stellar outing from Kai-Wei Teng on Thursday night, falling to the Tri-City Dust Devils (43-65) by a final of 3-1 at Gesa Stadium.
THE DETAILS:
- Winning Pitcher: Dakota Donovan (1-0, 3.07 ERA): 2.0 IP | 2 H | 0 R | 1 BB | 4 K
- Losing Pitcher: Solomon Bates (2-2, 4.86 ERA): 1.0 IP | 2 H | 2 R | 2 ER | 0 BB | 2 K
- Save: Nathan Burns (1)
- HR(s): Eugene: N/A | Tri-City: N/A
HOW IT HAPPENED: Fresh off clinching a spot in the High-A West Championship Series the night prior, the Emeralds took the diamond on Thursday night simply aiming to keep momentum rolling with postseason play looming in less than a week’s time.
After a quick and scoreless first three frames, Eugene’s offense struck first in the fourth inning after Brett Auerbach led off the inning with a single and a stolen base before Sean Roby later brough him home with a two-out single that plated Auerbach to put the Ems in front, 1-0.
It stayed 1-0 until the seventh when the Dust Devils finally got to Kai-Wei Teng. The inning started with Kevin Maitan being plunked by a pitch from Teng, and after Kenyon Yovan then struck out in the ensuing at-bat, Zach Humphreys singled softly to the left side on a ball that was deflected by Carter Aldrete at third.
Kevin Watson Jr. then drew a walk to load the bases, and William Rivera followed by skying a sac fly to deep right field that scored Maitan from third to tie the game at 1-1.
Eugene’s offense seemed poised to immediately respond after getting a walk from Marco Luciano and a single from Ricardo Genovés that put runners on the corners to lead off the seventh inning, but the next three Emeralds batters – Franklin Labour, Carter Aldrete, and Brett Auerbach – each struck out to leave the potential go-ahead run stranded at third.
The Dust Devils took advantage in their next trip to the plate when Kenyon Yovan came up with runners at second and third and promptly brought both of them home, singling sharply up the middle to put the Dust Devils up for the first time, 3-1.
That proved plenty for Tri-City as the Emeralds offense went quietly the rest of the way to see Eugene fall by a final of 3-1.
PEAK PERFORMERS:
- Kai-Wei Teng – RHP: Having notched a career-high thirteen strikeouts in his last outing, the reigning High-A West Pitcher of the Week posted twelve strikeouts over 7.0 innings of work while allowing just three hits, one walk, and one earned run.
How's Kai-Wei been over his last 2 outings? So glad you asked. His combined numbers:
— Eugene Emeralds (@EugeneEmeralds) September 17, 2021
13.0 IP | 6 H | 2 R | 2 ER | 3 BB | 25 K#GoEms x #SFGiants https://t.co/wv37QVfwDc
WHAT’S NEXT: The series between the Emeralds and Dust Devils continues on Friday at 7:05pm PST at Gesa Stadium.
You can catch all the action in Pasco with road broadcaster Alex Stimson on the call via 95.3FM The Score, MiLB.com or on the MiLB app.
Tickets to Emeralds home games are available at www.EmeraldsBaseball.com or by calling (541) 342-5367.
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