Spokane, WA - If the Indians were hoping for any added luck from playing on Friday the 13th, they sure didn't find it. Spokane fell behind the Emeralds early and couldn't claw back late, as they lost to Eugene 4-2 at Avista Stadium.
The Indians had the game knotted at two after sacrifice flies from Guy Edmonds in the first and Royce Bolinger in the second, but failed to score again, including the ninth when Chris Garia grounded out to end the game with runners at first and second.
Spokane starter Jose Valdespina (1-4) was electric but inconsistent, flashing a mid-90's fastball while allowing seven hits and three runs in just 3.2 innings. Shawn Blackwell kept the game close with 3.1 frames of one-hit, one-run ball, and Joe Burns continued his mastery in relief with two scoreless innings.
Preston Beck brought the Avista Stadium crowd to its feet twice in the top of the fourth as he gunned down two runners in the inning at second base with a pair of laser beams from rightfield.
Former Gonzaga Bulldog Royce Bolinger extended his hitting streak to six games, including four straight contests with an extra-base hit, on a double to the gap in the eighth inning.
