The Emeralds really, really needed a win before taking this postseason series on the road to Vancouver, and thanks in part to some fantastic pitching in the middle innings by Javiar Assad (Numbert 10 in the Top 40), that is exactly what they got.
Assad took over in the third for Brendon Little, the Cubs’ top pick in 2017, with the Emeralds clinging to a 3-2 lead, and Assad shut down Vancouver for the next six innings. Assad allowed just one hit and walked a pair while striking out nine. Jake Steffens pitched a scoreless ninth, and the Emeralds tied up the series at a game each.
Little needed 50 pitches to get through the first two frames thanks in large part to some control issues. He only allowed one hit in his two innings of work, but he allowed two runs on four walks while striking out four. Still, he left the game with the lead and Assad was able to take it from there.
As for the offense, they struck out just six times, stole three bases, and finished with eight hits (including a key first inning homer). All in all, not a bad game for the bats.
The best of five series now moves to Vancouver for at least two games, and possibly three. Cory Abbott will be on the mound for Emeralds tonight.
Short Season A: Eugene Emeralds
Eugene 4, Vancouver 2
The Emeralds never trailed.