EUGENE, Ore. — While it seemed it looked to be an easy ride to clinching a playoff spot for the Eugene Emeralds was far from it as the first half of the season began to end.
After winning a Northwest League record 14 consecutive wins, the team struggled down the stretch after Cory Spangenberg, the San Diego Padres first round pick (10th overall) in this years Major League Baseball draft was called up to the Fort Wayne Tincaps — losing 13 of their last 16 games.
Cory Spangenberg was promoted to play for the Fort Wayne Tincaps and the Emeralds have seen struggles since.// Photo: Alan K. Fox
Eugene made the playoffs after losing to the Aquasox 4-2 last night and snuck in the playoffs due a 10-6 a come from behind loss by the Vancouver Canadians to the Salem-Keiser Volcanoes.
This will be the Emeralds first appearance in the post season since 2000.
In the loss to the Aquasox, the Emeralds had multiple chances to score and could not capitalize on what was inconsistent pitching by Everett’s starting pitcher Jordan Shipers, who walked eight in his 3 1/3 innings of work.
Eugene also left the bases loaded in multiple innings.
Everett jumped ahead in the first inning scoring the first run of the game on a triple by Mario Yepez, which scored Jarrett Burgess.
The Aquasox added to their lead in the third inning when they scored on a throwing error by Jorge Minyety and James Wood crossed the plate from third base putting Everett up 2-0.
In the bottom of the third the Emeralds scored a run, but not with their bats. Shipers walked four strait Eugene batters, which walked in the first run of the game for the home team. During the walks Shipers threw 15 consecutive balls.
That would be the only run for the Emeralds until the ninth inning.
In the top of the sixth inning Everett went ahead 3-1 on a single by Michael Dowd to right field — scoring Ramon Morla from first base.
The Aquasox offense continued to stay strong in the seventh and they scored their forth and final run of the game. The run was scored on a RBI-single by Yepez, which scored Patrick Brady.
Yepez finished the game 2-for-5 with two RBI’s at the plate.
Lee Orr scored the run in the eighth inning on a passed ball by the Michael Dowd but that ended up being the final run of the game and was not enough to secure the victory.
The Emeralds and Aquasox will start the second half of the season off tonight at PK Park. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Scheduled starting pitchers are Colin Rea (3-1, 0.93 ERA) for the Emeralds and Jose Campos (2-2, 2.65).
Alan K. Fox can be reached at alanfoxjr@gmail.com and on Twitter @alankfox
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