Dust Devils Squeeze Past Emeralds

The Tri-City Dust Devils were lifted by three unanswered runs to capture a 5-4 victory over the Eugene Emeralds on Friday night at Gesa Stadium. The first three games of the series have all been decided by only one run.

The Dust Devils (30-39) fell behind early after Felix Cabrera smacked a two-run home run off of starter Shane Broyles. Tri-City was able to answer back with pair of runs as a result of two wild pitches from Eugene (42-27) starter Tayron Guerrero.

The Emeralds took the lead back, bringing home a run in both the fifth and sixth innings. Tri-City was able to even the score in the bottom of the sixth inning. Tom Murphy crushed a two-run home run, his team-high fifth of the year, to tie the game. The Dust Devils took their first lead of the game in the bottom of the 7th. Yafistel Roja successfully executed a bunt that scored Patrick Hutcheson from third base, in what became the deciding run of the game.

Despite pitching only one inning, Tri-City reliever Michael Wolford (1-2) earned his first win of the season for the Dust Devils. Seth Willoughby collected his eighth save of the season, his third in the last four games. Mark Picca (4-2) suffered the loss for Eugene, allowing one run in relief.

The final home series of the season will continue on Saturday night at Gesa Stadium. TJ Oakes will toe the rubber for Tri-City. Oakes comes into the game with a 1-2 record and a 4.40 ERA. Eugene will counter with Justin Hancock, who is 5-2 with a 1.68 ERA. First pitch is at 7:15 p.m. and gates open at 6:15 p.m. There will be a postgame fireworks show presented by Country Financial.

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