Kai-Wei Ks KO Sox, Emeralds Win 4-1

EUGENE, Ore. – The Eugene Emeralds (64-48) starting pitcher Kai-Wei Teng struck out 13 AquaSox batters over six innings as the Emeralds won their fifth-straight game, defeating the Everett AquaSox (60-51), 4-1.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The AquaSox got scored their only run of the game in the top of the second inning when catcher Matt Scheffler hit a sacrifice fly into right field, scoring Noelvi Marte for the early 1-0 lead. The Emeralds answered with a run of their own in the bottom of the inning when Marco Luciano scored from third base on a wild pitch, tying the score at 1-1.

The score remained tied until the bottom of the seventh inning when Ismael Munguia hit a double into right field that scored Ricardo Genoves and Franklin Labour, giving the Emeralds a 3-1 lead. The Emeralds added on one final run in the eighth inning when Jairo Pomares hit a home run over the fence in right-center field.

Teng was outstanding in six innings, only allowing three hits, one run, two walks and striking out a career-high 13 batters. Nicholas Avila, Austin Reich and Chris Wright each pitched a hitless and scoreless inning in relief to close out the victory. The four Emeralds pitchers combined for 16 strikeouts.

WRAPPING IT UP

AquaSox starting pitcher Adam Hill went seven innings, allowing five hits, three runs, one earned run, two walks and seven strikeouts. Marte went 1-for-4 with a double and a run. The AquaSox were 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position and are now 0-0-for-12 over the last two games and 3-for 21-during the series.

LOOKING AHEAD

The AquaSox and Emeralds will close out the series with a doubleheader: two seven-inning games scheduled for Friday, September 10. The AquaSox have not announced who will start game one; RHP Jimmy Joyce (0-0 4.38 ERA) is expected to start the second game. The Emeralds will start RHP Conner Nurse (5-7 5.19 ERA) in the first game and LHP Jake Dahlberg (2-4 6.63 ERA) in the second game. Click here to tune in with Steve Willits on KRKO.