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Comeback Attempt Comes up Empty

August 25, 2012
The Tri-City Dust Devils' late-inning rally fell short on Saturday night, as they lose to the Eugene Emeralds 5-4 in eleven innings in front of 3,151 fans at Gesa Stadium. For the fourth straight night the Dust Devils (30-40) and Emeralds (43-27) played in a game decided by one run.

The Dust Devils never led in the game, but forced extra innings after tying the game in the bottom of the ninth. It was the Northwest League-high tenth extra innings game of the season for Tri-City.

Missed opportunities plagued the Dust Devils in the middle innings of the game. Tri-City had a runner on third base in the third, fourth, and fifth innings, but could only produce one run. Eugene did the bulk of their damage in the fourth and fifth innings, scoring two runs in each.

Tri-City trailed by two runs going into the bottom of the ninth, but Tom Murphy came through for the second straight game. Murphy, who hit a home run Friday night to help lift the Dust Devils over the Emeralds, smacked a double with two outs to tie the game and force extra innings.

Matt Flemer (3-3) suffered the loss for Tri-City, giving up a run in the eleventh inning to the Emeralds. Despite surrendering two runs in the ninth, Eugene closer Roman Madrid (6-0) earned the victory after pitching the scoreless frame in the tenth. Collin Reynolds retired the Dust Devils in order in the eleventh inning to notch his first save of the season.

The Dust Devils will play their final home game of the season on Sunday night. The series with Eugene will wrap up with Roberto Padilla getting the start for Tri-City. The Emeralds will send Will Scott to the mound in the deciding game of the five-game series. First pitch is at 7:15 p.m. and gates open at 6:15 p.m. There will be a season finale postgame fireworks show presented by U.S. Cellular.

Dust Devils Baseball... "It Will Blow You Away!"