PASCO, Wash. — The Eugene Emeralds once again struggled to get any offense going since the departure of first round draft pick Cory Spangenberg, who was promoted to the Fort Wayne Tin Caps.
The Emeralds (22-7), who own the best record in the Northwest League and set a NWL record for most consecutive wins in a season with 14, have gone 1-3 in the first series without Spangenberg after a 3-1 loss to the Tri-City Dust Devils last night.
Eugene, the San Diego Padres Single-A affiliate, struggled against the Dust Devils pitching and where only able to get two hits and the one run.
Tri-City (15-14) jumped out to a one run lead in the bottom of the forth inning. The run came from a RBI on a ground out by Taylor Featherston, which scored Jordan Ribera from third base. Ribera reached base earlier in the inning on a single to left field.
After three scoreless innings by both teams the Emeralds responded with the tying-run in the top of the eighth inning.
Cory Spangenberg was promoted to play for the Fort Wayne Tincaps and the Emeralds have seen struggles since.// Photo: Alan K. Fox
Lee Orr hit a line drive to the Dust Devils third baseman Jeffery Squier and Squier was unable to make the play at home and Mike Gallic scored the only for Eugene.
It didn’t take long for Tri-City, the Single-A affiliate for the Colorado Rockies, to respond and re-take the lead. They bounced back with two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning sealing the victory.
The Emeralds had relief pitcher Luis De La Cruz enter the game to start the eighth and the Dust Devils took advantage of him.
The first batter he faced, Brian Humphries, singled to center field and then was advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Timothy Smalling. De La Crus then hit the next batter he faced and then was pulled by Eugene’s first-year skipper Pat Murphy.
It didn’t seem to matter what pitcher Tri-City was facing in the inning they did not let up and took the lead for good off a two-run single to center field by Jared Simon.
The Emeralds and Dust Devils wrap-up their five-game series today in Pasco, Wash. First pitch is scheduled for 7:15 p.m.
Alan K. Fox can be reached at alanfoxjr@gmail.com or on Twitter @alankfox
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