Eugene Emeralds Playoff Wrap: September 10

Just one team still playing in the minors.

Eugene Emeralds

The Eugene Emeralds evened up their best-of-five series at a game apiece as they deported the Vancouver Canadians (Blue Jays), 4-2.

Brendon Little pitched the first two innings and allowed just one hit. Unfortunately, it was a two-run triple after Little had walked two batters. The final line on Little was two runs on one hit over two innings. He walked four and struck out four.

Javier Assad, on the other hand, was terrific over the next six innings. Assad got the win after he held the Canadians to no runs and just one hit. Assad walked two and struck out nine.

Jake Steffens pitched the ninth inning and got the save. He gave up a double to lead off the inning, but then retired the next three batters without incident. Steffens did not strike out anyone.

Third baseman Austin Filiere gave the Ems a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning with a two-run home run. Filiere was 1 for 4.

Later in the first inning, first baseman Gustavo Polanco singled home Jhonny Bethencourt to make it 3-0. Polanco was 2 for 4 and Bethencourt was 1 for 4 with a stolen base.

Second baseman Jared Young singled home Zach Davis in the fifth inning for the fourth and final Ems run of the game. Young was 2 for 4 and he scored on the Filiere home run. Davis was 1 for 3 with a stolen base.

The best-of-five series now moves to Vancouver for the next three games. The Ems will have to win two of their next three on the road to win their second-straight Northwest League title.