The electric performance of Alexander Guerra was not enough for the Emeralds as a late home run and walk-off single punctuated a 5-4 loss in 10 innings to the Spokane Indians in front of 4,160 at Avista Stadium.
The electric performance of Alexander Guerra was not enough for the Emeralds as a late home run and walk-off single punctuated a 5-4 loss in 10 innings to the Spokane Indians in front of 4,160 at Avista Stadium.
While always putting on a show in batting practice, Alexander Guerra had not yet found his groove at the dish in 10 games with the Emeralds. That all changed in a massive way on Monday, as Guerra belted out his first two home runs on the season, collecting 4 RBI's on the night, in addition to an early run scoring double.
The Ems jumped on starter Theo McDowell for Spokane in the very first inning, with Guerra looping a double down the left field line to score Fernando Kelli and Edmond Americaan. The Ems would take that 2-0 lead into the 3rd, where Guerra then lasered a solo blast to left for his first home run of the season.
The 3-0 advantage was short-lived as Kohl Franklin struggled with his command in the bottom frame of the 3rd. In the inning, Franklin allowed RBI singles to Derwin Barreto and David Garcia, decreasing the lead to 3-2.
That score line would hold until the 8th inning, when Alexander Guerra again stole the show. With 1 out as he battled to a full count against Nic Laio, Guerra hooked another bomb just inside of the left field foul pole, his 2 home run on the night, doubling up the Ems' lead, 4-2.
However, the Spokane Indians battered their way back into the game in the 9th. With Aneuris Rosario on the mound, Obie Ricumstrict just beat out an infield single with 2 outs, setting the stage for Cristian Inoa. The #9 hitter in the order, on a 1-2 count, then blasted a moonshot over the left field wall, his 1st home run of the season, improbably tying the game at 4 apiece.
In the 10th, the Ems failed to score the lead runner at 2nd, stranding the bases loaded after a groundout from Luis Vazquez. The Spokane Indians immediately took advantage in their half of the 10th, with Luis Asuncion smashing a liner up the middle to score Derwin Barreto, walking the game off for the Indians in the series finale.
The Ems must now regroup as they head into a crucial 3-game series against the Hillsboro Hops. First pitch in the first game of the south division matchup is scheduled for 7:05pm on Tuesday night at PK Park.
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