Courtesy: Eugene Emeralds Media Services
EUGENE, Ore.– In game 4 of the series with Vancouve the Emeralds finally scored first, netting a run in the bottom of the 1st after a leadoff single and a fielding error by 1B L.B. Dantzler. Right hander Bryan Verbitsky gave Eugene 3 shutout innnigs of work allowing a hit and a walk. Michael Kelly came on and allowed three base runners across the 3rd and 4th innings without surrendering a run before coming back out for the 5th. In his third inning of relief, Kelly allowed a single and walked two to load the bases with nobody out. Justing Atkinson came through for Vancouver clearing the bases with a double to right center making it 3-1.
Canadians starter Tom Robson settled in after the first inning and retired 11 straight from the 2nd through the 6th when he issued a walk to Wynton Bernard. Robson finished 5.2 innings allowing just three hits, a walk and that unearned run.
The Ems went to the bottom of the 8th still trailing by two with Vancouver reliever Justin James entering the game. Bernard started a one out rally with a single and Michael Bass followed with one of his own. Sunday night’s hero Hunter Renfroe belted his 9th double of the year driving in Bernard to make it 3-2 Canadians. After intentionally walking Trae Santos, Fernando Perez came up with the bases loaded and one down. Perez hit a grounder to first base, Dantzler came home for one out but on the return throw Michael Bass took out the back leg of catcher Michael Reeves sending the throw into right field tying the game at 3-3. One batter later, Henry Charles roped a single to center scoring a pair giving Eugene the 5-3 lead.
Adam Cimber came out of the bullpen for a perfect 9th to pick up his 5th save of the year. The Emeralds entered the series 0-18 when trailing after the 5th inning. With Monday’s victory the Ems have now come back in the late innings three straight games. Hillsboro was shutout at home by the AquaSox putting the Emeralds alone in first place in the second half with a record of 5-2.
The series finale is scheduled for 7:05pm Tuesday night.
