Eighth Inning Dooms Ems Despite Strong Day From New Additions
The Eugene Emeralds (10-14) dropped the first game of a two-game series against the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes (16-8) on Sunday evening, falling by a final score of 10-7 in front of 4,834 fans at PK Park.
The Eugene Emeralds (10-14) dropped the first game of a two-game series against the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes (16-8) on Sunday evening, falling by a final score of 10-7 in front of 4,834 fans at PK Park.
As has been the case over recent days in the Emerald Valley, the news of new additions dominated the headlines at PK Park, and Sunday's game proved no different.
Chicago Cubs fifth rounder and former Washington Husky Josh Burgmann got the start on the mound for the Ems, and although his day was short it showed plenty of promise. The righthander tossed an inning of scoreless ball striking out two of the three Volcanoes batters he faced.
In the second inning, another new Emerald made his professional debut on the mound. Cubs fourth rounder and former USC Trojan Chris Clarke came on to relieve Burgmann, and he too showed what warranted such a high selection as he struck out the side.
After Clarke's electric top half of the inning on the mound, the Emeralds exploded in the batter's box in the bottom half of the frame. Grayson Byrd led off the inning by working a walk and was followed by a
In the third, Zac Taylor belted a one-out double to right field before quickly being advanced ninety feet in the ensuing at-bat thanks to a groundout by Grayson Byrd. With two out and Taylor on third, the Ems took advantage of some good fortune when first baseman
One inning later, the Volcanoes bats began to wake up, and it all happened with two outs. After Ems pitcher
The Ems got one back in the bottom of the inning, starting with a leadoff walk from Jake Washer, a former ECU Pirate who was making his Emeralds debut after being drafted in the 29th round of this year's MLB Draft. Washer was advanced to second in the ensuing at-bat thanks to a single by Darius Hill, and then advanced another ninety feet after an
The 6-3 score held until the eighth inning when the Volcanoes erupted for five runs, four of which came on one swing of the bat. Emeralds reliever
Salem-Keizer struck for two more in the top of the ninth thanks to more clutch two-out hitting.
After an appearance from the ever-elusive Rally Squatch, the Emeralds offense went to work aiming to complete an improbable comeback of their own. Strumpf got the inning started by mashing a double off the left field wall, his second double of the day, and that quickly led Volcanoes manager Mark Hallberg to call on the bullpen and bring in
Despite the loss, a number of the new roster additions from the 2019 MLB Draft showed tremendous promise. Strumpf and Maldonado each finished 4-for-5 at the plate, Zac Taylor went 1-for-2 with three walks, and Darius Hill went 2-for-4.
The Emeralds and Volcanoes meet again on Monday night at 7:05pm PST at PK Park. Monday night is Wildlife Night at PK Park, presented by Wildlife Safari. An assortment of animals will be on display throughout the ballpark before and during the game, including a live cheetah.
You can find the full promotional schedule for the 2019 Eugene Emeralds season by visiting www.EmeraldsBaseball.com.
Tickets to Emeralds home games are on sale now at www.EmeraldsBaseball.com or by calling (541) 342-5367.
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