EUGENE, Ore. – In a battle for first place in the Northwest League West Division lead the Eugene Emeralds outdueled the Vancouver Canadians behind the pitching of the Eugene pitching staff in the 2-1 win on Saturday night.
The Emeralds (24-12) starting pitcher John Barbato pitched six innings and allowed two hits and had 10 strikeouts and their closer Kevin Quackenbush finished with his NWL-leading ninth save.
The victory over the Canadians, the Single-A affiliate for the Toronto Blue Jays, now puts Eugene one game ahead of Vancouver and they can now clinch the first half title with a victory tonight when they host the Everett Aquasox.
The pitching duel was a strong one through the first four innings and neither team was able to have a run cross the plate, but in the bottom of the fifth inning the game.
Jorge Minyety brought Kyle Gaedele across home plate with a line drive to left field putting Eugene ahead 1-0.
Gaedele reached base on a leadoff single, and finished the game 2-for-3 at the plate.
It didn’t take long for Vancouver (23-13) long to respond with a run of their own, and they plated a run in the top of the sixth to even the score.
After hitting a double to lead off the inning and being moved the third base on a bunt, Matt Newman scored on a sacrifice fly to centerfield by Jonathan Jones.
Once the game was tied at a run a piece it looked as if the game may go into extra innings, but the Emeralds were able to score on a two out rally in the bottom of the eighth inning.
After reaching on an error, Jace Peterson stole second base – putting him in scoring position. He would score the go ahead on a single by Zach Kometani, securing not only the win for the Emeralds, who represent the San Diego Padres in the NWL, but also the lead in the division.
Tonight the Emeralds will start a three-game series against the Everett Aquasox at PK Park. The first pitch is scheduled for 5:05 p.m.
Alan K. Fox can be reached at alanfoxjr@gmail.com and on Twitter @alankfox
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